FROM STAFF REPORTS

State Rep. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, has been appointed to serve as a national vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Health and Human Services Committee. The Committee is one of 10 national committees to deal with both state and state-federal issues. The jurisdictions of the standing committees are similar to those of committees in state legislatures.

“NCSL has benefitted from Representative Weaver’s expertise over the past four years,” said NCSL’s executive director Bill Pound. “Her participation will continue to ensure that the states’ agenda is carried out in Washington.”

NCSL standing committees are composed of legislators and legislative staff who are appointed by the leadership of their respective legislatures. The committees explore issues that states have to deal with, and develop policy on state-federal issues to guide NCSL’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. Committees do not recommend policy to the legislatures on issues that are internal to the states.

“I am very pleased to have been appointed as a national vice chair of NCSL’s Health and Human Services Committee. I look forward to working with other legislators from across the nation to address healthcare issues and develop policies related to those issues,” Weaver said.

NCSL is nationally recognized as a formidable lobbying force representing states’ interests before Congress, the White House and federal agencies. The NCSL Executive Committee meets four times a year to oversee the development and implementation of NCSL policies.

The national Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.