As we move into the summer season, CAI’s chapters and state legislative action committees (LACs) are gearing up for the annual delegate nomination period for state LACs.
If you’ve ever wondered what a LAC is, and whether you might be a good fit to join your state LAC, the information below will provide you with all you need to know about CAI’s LACs, what they do, and how you can help.
CAI currently has 36 state legislative action committees, including one in the District of Columbia. Visit our Legislative Action Committees page to see if there’s a LAC in your state.
What is a CAI LAC?
A LAC represents CAI’s official voice with state legislators and regulators. State LACs allow CAI to speak with one voice on legislative and regulatory matters that affect the community association industry. Each LAC is comprised of members from each membership group. The LAC works in partnership with CAI headquarters, the CAI Government & Public Affairs Committee and CAI chapters.
How is a LAC structured?
CAI membership is required to serve on a state LAC. Each LAC must have an equal balance of members so no one membership category has a majority of seats. A LAC ranges in size of no less than six delegates with a maximum of 20 delegates.
LAC Collaboration with CAI Headquarters & Chapters
Each LAC serves in collaboration with chapters and CAI headquarters via the Government & Public Affairs Committee to ensure consistent messaging across the country guided by member-developed public policy statements. The LAC represents all members of CAI within a given state, regardless of their ‘home’ chapter. This structure ensures oversight of LAC activities on the legislative front, and their obligation to serve all CAI chapters.
How does one get to serve on a LAC?
Any CAI member can submit a self-nomination to join a LAC. Nominating paperwork includes the nomination form and a mandatory conflict of interest and disclosure statement. Nominations should be submitted to the board of directors of your CAI chapter to be considered. Nominations are reviewed and approved by the chapter board in collaboration with the state LAC. Nominees appointed by the chapter are then reviewed and approved by CAI’s G&PA Committee. LAC members serve at the discretion of the CAI G&PA Committee and the board of directors of the chapter.
The term for each LAC delegate is two years and delegates may serve a maximum of five two-year terms. Terms are staggered, and each LAC is reauthorized on a two-year cycle.
How does a LAC relate to CAI chapters in my state?
The LAC is the voice of CAI on legislative and regulatory matters in the state. As such, the LAC, each chapter in the state, chapter executive directors, and CAI government & public affairs staff work together to identify and set goals based on CAI’s legislative priorities and state legislative priorities. Chapters have a voice on the LACs through the delegate appointment process. LACs and chapters are encouraged to work cooperatively to communicate CAI’s public policy accomplishments and engage CAI members in a dialogue on ongoing public policy goals.
What exactly does a LAC do?
LACs meet on a regular basis throughout the state’s legislative session to review legislation that may impact community associations. LACs support legislation that aligns with CAI’s public policy positions and opposes legislation that does not align. If a LAC believes it may need to consider or adopt any legislative or regulatory position conflicting with official positions, it must submit a request for a deviation to be considered by CAI’s Government & Public Affairs Committee and/or Board of Trustees.
LACs develop legislative proposals to address state-specific issues and improve community association living. Delegates provide written testimony or testify at hearings on priority legislation and help prepare calls to action to oppose harmful bills or support beneficial legislation. They also help plan advocacy days at state capitals where CAI members meet with legislators to advance CAI’s legislative priorities.
LACs also may participate in amicus activity where a critical court case may significantly impact the laws in the state.
LAC delegates also are asked to help with fundraising to support the LAC and hire government affairs professionals who help advance LAC initiatives.
Does all of this sound interesting? Do you want to learn more? If you are interested in serving on your state LAC, reach out to your chapter executive director, chapter board or the Government & Public Affairs staff at CAI headquarters.
LAC delegates will be appointed in advance of the new two-year LAC term that starts October 1. Reach out to government@caionline.org to learn more. You also can learn more about CAI advocacy and CAI’s legislative action committees at www.caionline.org/advocacy.
