1Thursday, May 29, 2014

NASBP Fly-In: Instructions for a Successful Visit to Your Congressional

OfficePresented by:Larry LeClairNational Association of Surety Bond ProducersColleen ClarkeRoanoke Insurance Group

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PRESENTERS BIOGRAPHY SLIDELarry LeClair is a Government Relations professional that has advocated policy interests on behalf of trade and professional associations for nearly 20 years at both the state and federal level. Larry is currently NASBP’s Director, Government Relations where he is the policy advocate and lobbyist for the association.

Colleen Clarke is Vice President, Surety Trade Relations for Roanoke Insurance Group, Schaumburg, IL. She serves as the NASBP representative on the Customs Surety Executive Committee advocating on behalf of the surety industry. Colleen was appointed by the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Treasury Department to the Commercial Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) of Customs & Border Protection and served the maximum 2 terms from 2009-2012.

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Today’s Agenda• Program Event for June 11 & 12 • Review of NASBP Fly-in Issues • Update on Import Bonds (Colleen Clarke)• Tools & Techniques for Hill Visits • Navigating Capitol Hill • Scheduling Your Congressional Appts. • Consult Fly-in website for Additional Information • What to do after the Fly-in

NASBP Fly-in Program Agenda

Hyatt Regency Capitol HillJune 11 Welcome Reception 6:30 p.m., Thornton RoomJune 12 7:00 a.m. (breakfast), Capitol Room– 7:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks, NASBP President, Tom

Padilla, NASBP Government Relations Chair, Kevin Garrity

– 8:00 a.m. Rep John Duncan (R-TN-02)– 8:30 a.m. Rep Grace Meng (D-NY-6th)– 9:00 a.m. Adam Hepburn, Legislative Director for Rep.

Richard Hanna (R-NY-22nd)– 9:30 a.m. Concluding Remarks/Instructions, Larry LeClair– 4:30 p.m. Closing Reception, Columbia A Room

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NASBP Fly-in Issues (Refer to Your Talking Pts.

Document) 1. Understand the Importance of Surety Bonds2. H.R. 776, the Security in Bonding Act of 2013

A. Individual Surety ProvisionB. Increase the guarantee of Small Business

Administration’s Bond Guarantee Program3. Bonds on federal P3 Agreements

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NASBP Fly-in Issues The Construction Procurement Coalition (11 members, see your talking points document for a list)Omnibus Contracting Reform Package includes NASBP’s Legislative Priorities:

H.R. 776 (individual surety/Small Business Administration’s Bond Guarantee Program)

Bonding on Federal P3 Agreements Threshold increase to the Miller Act

Coalition seeks a Senate Bill Sponsor

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Import Bonds • Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)

background• GSP Expiration on July 31, 2013• Importers are paying higher duty amounts• Bonds amounts increasing• Harm to economy • Unknown if Congress will pass an extension this year

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Tools & Techniquesfor Hill Visits

• Be Prepared: Know your talking points • Be succinct and concise • Make a connection—use examples• Make an “Ask” —Support H.R. 776• Be flexible • Know opposing views • Be honest • Leave-behinds—Talking Points Document

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Navigating Capitol Hill

House Office Buildings coded by number– 3 Digit room is Cannon– 4 Digit room beginning with 1 is Longworth– 4 Digit room beginning with 2 is Rayburn

• Meeting is in room 103: Cannon 1st flr.• Meeting is in room 1133: Longworth 1st flr. • Meeting is in room 2133: Rayburn 1st flr.

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Scheduling Your Congressional Appts.

• See the Fly-in website for a sample meeting letter• Call the Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121 ask to be

connected to your Rep/Senator’s Scheduler• Follow up, Follow Up, Follow up• Contact me if you are having difficulty

Consult the Fly-in website for Additional Information

• Questions about:– Hotel Accommodations – Transportation – Meeting/Reception Times– Local Restaurants

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After the Fly-in Follow-up

After Your Visits:– Are there follow up/questions? – Send a thank you note – Please give NASBP your feedback about the Fly-in – Stay engaged in your association:

• Volunteer as a GAR in your state• Attend GR Committee Meetings

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QUESTIONS?

If you do not have the opportunity to have your question addressed during the Seminar, you may contact the presenter directly:

Larry LeClair, National Association Surety Bond Producers Contact info – lleclair@nasbp.org, 202.464.1217Colleen Clarke, Roanoke Insurance GroupContact info — colleen.clarke@roanoketrade.com, 847.969.7033