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About Us

NCSL: Our Mission

NCSL, founded in 1975, represents the legislatures in the states, territories and commonwealths of the U.S. Its mission is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information among legislatures.

NCSL also represents legislatures in dealing with the federal government, especially in support of state sovereignty and state flexibility and protection from unfunded federal mandates and unwarranted federal preemption. The conference promotes cooperation between state legislatures in the U.S. and those in other countries.

In addition, NCSL is committed to improving the operations and management of state legislatures, and the effectiveness of legislators and legislative staff. NCSL also encourages the practice of high standards of conduct by legislators and legislative staff.

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NCSL Denver office

NCSL Bylaws

The NCSL bylaws and rules govern the operation of the conference. The NCSL Executive Committee's Budget, Finance and Rules Committee is the place where revisions are proposed and authorized, and then submitted to the full Executive Committee for consideration.

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Our Story

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. The three organizations dissolved, and on Jan. 1, 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures was born.