insider tips

These topics may not be frequently asked, but they offer you insider insights to the legislation process

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civics faqs

& insider tips

1. What is state-level legislation, and why does it matter?

Federal legislation is passed by U.S. Congress (Senate + House of Representatives) and applies to all 50 states.

At the state level, most states have Bicameral Legislatures (other than Nebraska), which means they have two chambers similar to Congress. The upper chamber is usually referred to as the Senate. The lower chamber is called the House of Representatives or Assembly, depending on the state.

The state representatives address state-specific legislation, ranging from school funding, environmental issues, medical coverage, and more, so state legislation can impact your daily life.

2. How does a bill become a law in my state?

A bill starts when a state legislator, either in the Assembly or the Senate, introduces it. From there, the Assembly Speaker or Senate President decides which committee will review the bill first. Depending on what the bill covers, it might go through multiple committees. For example, a bill about clean water might go to the Environment Committee first, then get referred to the State and Local Government Committee for further review.

During committee hearings, lawmakers discuss the bill, hear public input, and may suggest changes or amendments. If the bill includes any spending or funding, it usually heads to the Appropriations Committee before it moves forward.

Once it passes through the necessary committees, the bill goes up for a vote—first in the chamber where it was introduced (either the Assembly or the Senate), then in the other chamber. If both houses pass identical versions of the bill, it heads to the Governor's desk. The Governor can sign it into law, veto it, or choose not to take action.

3. Who are my state legislators and what do they do?

You can find links to your state legislators on the Environment and Social Justice pages. Your state legislators are elected officials representing your community in the state government. Here's what they do:

Introduce and vote on legislation that impacts everything from schools and transportation to healthcare and the environment.
Serve on committees to review and shape bills before they reach the full legislature.
Support constituents—that's you—by helping with access to state programs, services and navigating government systems.
Advocate for your district's needs and priorities at the state level. They're your voice in state government, so it's worth knowing who they are and how to reach them.

4. How can I find and track bills related to environmental issues and social justice?

You can find links to search for bills in your state on the Environment and Social Justice pages.

5. What's the best way to contact my legislator—and does it actually work?

Yes, it can work. Your voice matters.

You can call or email your state legislators; their contact information is available on official state legislature websites. We've also included links to legislators in your state on the Environment and Social Justice pages.

When you reach out, it helps to:

Share your personal story
Speak from your area of expertise
Be respectful, specific, and clear about what you're asking for Legislators and their staff pay attention when constituents speak up.

6. Can I testify at a hearing or attend legislative sessions?

Yes, you absolutely can. Many people don't realize they have the right to testify on bills being considered by the legislature. Whether you're for or against a proposal, your voice matters.

Can't make it to the State House? No problem—you can often watch or listen live online, so you can stay informed from anywhere.

7. What are advocacy groups and how can I join one?

If you're passionate about an issue like maternal health equity, climate action, or education, chances are there are advocacy groups already working in that space.

A quick internet search can help you find organizations aligned with your interests. Before joining, take a moment to make sure their mission matches your values. Don't hesitate to reach out, ask questions, and learn how you can get involved.

As you attend or listen to legislative hearings, you'll start to recognize the groups that consistently show up, speak out, and help shape policy. That's advocacy in action, and you can be part of it.

8. Where can I learn more about my state's legislative process?

Most states have an official website that explains how the legislative process works and how you can get involved.

We've also gathered helpful resources right here to get you started.

As we’ve outlined, there are several ways to get involved at the state level. In addition to the above, here are some important insider tips to help you navigate the legislative process:

Find legislators already in support of and aligned with your mission in environmental work and or social justice. This information can be found by researching the legislators who introduced or advanced environmental bills, looking at their voting record, and looking at the committees they are members of. Elected officials usually have 3-4 pillars of areas most important to them (such as clean water, prescription prices, etc.). By finding areas of alignment, you can move the needle forward.

Find a legislator in the majority party, either in your own district or in the state that is aligned with your mission. The majority party sets the agenda for committees and voting sessions. Although in many states, bills may have bipartisan support, working with a legislator in the majority improves the chances that a bill will move forward.

Align with community partners working towards the same goal. There is strength and insight in numbers. Some organizations have been working in the space you are interested in for years. Research them, learn from them, and work together if your goals are aligned. Also, work together as a congregation and have members be involved based on their interests and strengths.

Storytelling should never be underestimated, both in introducing and supporting legislation. Some of the most impactful testimonies come from personal experiences.

In any given legislative session, there can easily be over 10,000+ bills introduced (new bills and reintroduced bills). Out of thousands of bills, a fair estimate would be that approx. Five hundred get signed into law. I mention this for a few reasons. Sometimes, the legislative process can move fairly rapidly, but in most cases, it is a long process with several steps along the way, especially when dollars are attached to an initiative coming from the state budget. It’s important to be aware of this process and to take mindful steps to avoid burnout and anxiety in pursuit of something you and your congregation hold in high importance. Here is a framework to help you, your congregation, and your advocate partners run the long race and avoid anxiety and stress along the way.

First, comfort can be found in solidarity and community. It is important for members of partner organizations to come together regularly. This includes throwing a cookout or playing beach volleyball. Clean Ocean Action’s Shore Shindig is an example of getting together to laugh and blow off steam while still advancing the mission.
Also, it’s essential to be able to voice your thoughts and feelings when working towards the greater good. Speak to what you are feeling. The trick is not to live in anger but to be able to voice frustrations and look to areas of self-efficacy and/or gratitude.
A regular gratitude practice can significantly impact the potential anxiety and burnout that can come with doing environmental and social justice work. It can be as simple as a daily ritual to think of one thing they are grateful for that day. This can also be done during group meetings where everyone has a moment to state what they are grateful for.
We must remind ourselves of our impact in individual action and as a group. This could be reflecting and celebrating the milestones in advancing legislation. Each time a committee advances a particular bill, that is a win to be celebrated. Each time a group shows up to speak on a bill or meets with a legislator on a bill that is to be appreciated and celebrated. On an individual level, every time you recycle, every time you call or write to a legislator, or every time you spread the word on upcoming environmental projects, these actions should be celebrated. These are the things you can control. Don’t just acknowledge the big things. It is the small things that keep us all moving forward.
Spend time looking at what makes you hopeful. It could be clean beaches for the children and future generations or working to stop the extinction of an animal, for example. You are working in faith, action, and care.

scussions backed by fact and faith and calls to strategic action, collectively, we can make a difference.

Faith communities are well situated to address environmental issues because they come to the table with the strength, size, and devotion of an existing community. They can then build on their circle of influence by identifying lawmakers, advocates, and other faith communities to increase reach and impact and learn from each other. Through discussions backed by fact and faith and calls to strategic action, collectively, we can make a difference.