Volunteer advocates determine California State PTA’s positions on legislation and other advocacy issues.
TAKING ACTION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Our legislation team includes the director of legislation and legislative advocates who specialize in specific issues regarding education, parent involvement, budget, community concerns and health, as these affect children and youth, as well as a federal advocate. All members of the legislation team are PTA volunteers who serve on the California State PTA Board of Managers.
The director of legislation manages the California State PTA legislation program and works on bills that do not fit into one of the subject matter categories. These include matters such as taxation and budgetary reform.
The advocates work directly with state legislators and their staffs, with members of allied organizations and with other interested parties on bills selected for PTA advocacy.
Commissions are responsible for preparing background information and authority for bills in their subject matter area and for recommending appropriate action. Advocates select bills that are sent to members of the legislation action committee for detailed study.
The legislation action committee meets several times each year during the legislative session to discuss the bills and subject matter commission recommendations and to determine positions to be taken on each of the selected bills. After the committee meets, a Legislation Action Report is prepared and distributed. Current status on legislation for which PTA has taken positions can be viewed via the California State PTA website.
Once a position has been adopted, the legislation team is responsible for all further actions on the legislation. This includes relaying information on PTA positions to legislators and communicating PTA action on legislation-related matters to the constituent associations of the California State PTA.
The PTA membership, through the association’s bylaws and the actions of delegates at California State PTA conventions, directs PTA actions on legislation. The California State PTA Board of Managers is responsible for conducting the affairs of the association. This includes all action on state legislation and state ballot measures. Specific activities include:
- Analyzing legislation under consideration in the California Legislature and measures that will appear on statewide election ballots.
- Taking PTA positions on specific bills and ballot measures as directed by the PTA legislation platform, policies, resolutions and position statements.
- Advocating for passage or defeat of selected measures.
- Working cooperatively with allied organizations or others concerned about children’s issues when appropriate.
- Informing members about PTA positions on current legislation and on statewide ballot measures, and encourage local actions when needed.
PTA follows IRS and California Fair Political Practices Commission rules on advocacy.