AboutUs

About Us

NCSL building Denver

WHO WE ARE

Bill Pound, NCSL Executive Director Since 1975, NCSL has been the champion of state legislatures. We’ve helped states remain strong and independent by giving them the tools, information and resources to craft the best solutions to difficult problems. We’ve fought against unwarranted actions in Congress and saved states more than $1 billion. We’ve conducted workshops to sharpen the skills of lawmakers and legislative staff in every state. And we do it every day.

OUR MISSION

NCSL is committed to the success of all legislators and staff. Our mission is to

Improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures.
Promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures.
Ensure state legislatures a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.

OUR STORY

U.S. Capitol dome In 1974, three organizations represented the interests of legislators and staff, but their influence was diluted. So seven inventive legislative leaders and two staffers got together and envisioned a single national organization to support, defend and strengthen state legislatures. After a survey of lawmakers and staff from around the country confirmed their idea was a good one, the three organizations dissolved, and on Jan. 1, 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures was born.

HOW WE'RE GOVERNED

The strength of NCSL is our bipartisanship and commitment to serving both Republicans and Democrats. It is recognized in our comprehensive, unbiased research. NCSL serves both legislators and staff. This is reflected in the documents we've created to govern our organization and the organization of our Executive Committee:

THE STATES' AGENDA

Lawmakers play a vital role in developing the States’ Agenda, the blueprint for NCSL’s advocacy work on Capitol Hill. Each year, legislators and staff from across the country who participate in NCSL’s eight Standing Committees adopt policies under our rules of procedure for consideration at the annual Business Meeting during the Legislative Summit. If two-thirds of the states in attendance approve them, these policies become the backbone of NCSL’s efforts to fight unwarranted federal preemption of state laws, unfunded mandates and federal legislation that threatens state authority and autonomy. It’s important work, and NCSL takes its cue from the states.

THE NCSL BLOG

Gender Gap Grows: Fewer Women in State Legislatures in 2015

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Preliminary results indicate that this election means fewer women will serve in state legislatures in 2015 than this year.

From the State Capitol to the U.S. Capitol

Thursday, November 6, 2014

State legislators make up a majority of newly elected members of Congress.

GOP Wave Capsizes Democrats

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Update 9:39 a.m. ET

After a day of double-checking partisan composition numbers in the more than 6,000 legislative races this year, the extent of Republican success in legislative and governor’s elections is mostly clear. Suffice it to say, it was a banner election for the GOP.