SAINT PAUL, MN – Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – 52A) was appointed by Speaker Paul Thissen to the Environment; the Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture; and the Legislative Effectiveness Committees for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
“I am excited to work with NCSL and appreciate Speaker Thissen’s appointment,” said Rep. Hansen. “By working with fellow state legislators from across the United States, we can learn from each other – reducing reinvention of the wheel and improving legislative effectiveness.”
First elected in 2004, Rep. Hansen represents the communities of Mendota, Mendota Heights, Lilydale, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul. Rep. Hansen is a respected leader for his work on environmental and conservation issues. He has a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Soil Management from Upper Iowa University and Iowa State University, respectively.
More on each committee:
Legislative Effectiveness Committee
It examines strategies, practices and procedures for making legislators, staff and legislatures more effective. The committee focuses both on key skills for legislators and on key operations and powers of state legislature. The issues include education and training for legislators and legislative staff, legislative structure and management, rules and procedures, leadership, committees, staffing, information resources, constitutional issues and ethics.
Environment Committee
The committee works on state concerns regarding these environmental issues. It also serves as a forum for legislators and legislative staff to learn about and share information about options being considered and working in other states.
Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture Committee
The committee reviews and develops NCSL policy positions on state-federal concerns regarding energy, transportation, and agriculture issues. It also serves as a forum for legislators and staff to share ideas and expertise on an array of energy, transportation, and agriculture issues. The committee also facilitates topically appropriate educational opportunities for members and colleagues.
More on the National Conference of State Legislatures:
The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.
More information can be found online: http://www.ncsl.org/
-30-