1. Regionalized Advocacy Initiative
Presentation by the Regionalization Task Force to the NPGA Marketer and State/District Directors Meeting
February 12, 2018

2. BACKGROUND
In December 2017, the Membership Outreach Task Force was created to examine certain membership issues. One of the key observations was the need to pay greater attention to a growing number of issues at the state level.
In January 2018, the Task Force recommended utilizing a regional model for providing increased services to state and regional associations.
The primary goal is to help associations have the necessary support to ensure legislative and other objectives are met for the whole of the industry.
A secondary goal is to provide assistance to associations no current lobbying capacity and/or associations with no or a new Executive Director.
This initiative compliments the NPGA Strategic Plan that highlighted the desire of the membership for NPGA to provide enhanced focus on state legislative and regulatory matters.

3. WHY DO WE NEED REGIONALIZED ADVOCACY?
Due to the competitive landscape we are facing, greater focus is necessary to achieve the legislative and regulatory wins required to protect and grow our industry. Examples of areas where more focus is critical include:
Taking advantage of the Volkswagen settlement funds.
The “electrify everything” movement, including zero net energy initiatives, and changes to state energy plans to eliminate propane residential and commercial applications.
Unfair subsidies for competing fuels in the residential, commercial, and on-road markets.
Carbon tax and/or cap and trade programs.
Coordination of state efforts for Hours of Service Waivers.
Support of advantageous legislation like limited liability and easier permit processes.

4. WHAT REGIONALIZED ADVOCACY IS NOT
Not assuming control of state/regional associations.
Not intended to shift an association’s existing legislative advocacy responsibilities or expenses onto NPGA.

5. WHAT RESOURCES CAN REGIONALIZED ADVOCACY PROVIDE?
Enhanced bill tracking assistance
Subject matter expertise
Testimony preparation
Lobbying assistance
Legislative advocacy training for industry members
Assistance with state “Propane Day” activities
Legislative site visit assistance
Training for state executive directors
ENHANCED BILL TRACKING -- Currently, NPGA staff tracks legislation nationwide using CQ StateTrack, primarily targeting natural gas expansion, carbon tax/environmental issues, threats and opportunities to the autogas market, overregulation of the propane industry, and potential opportunities or challenges for the propane industry. To provide additional assistance, NPGA can add customized searches to supplement states’ current tracking efforts.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE – NPGA staff travels to states to testify on behalf of the industry in legislative and regulatory matters. This program will expand the network of subject matter experts to additional staff members as well as third-party experts that will be identified to assist.
TESTIMONY PREPARATION – In consultation with state associations on specific legislative or regulatory issues, NPGA staff will assist in creating testimony for key issues.
LOBBYING ASSISTANCE -- NPGA can provide assistance to states for additional legislative counsel to assist when a major issue arises and additional resources are needed.
TRAINING FOR INDUSTRY MEMBERS – NPGA will build on its current suite of materials for states and provide in-person training or webinars for industry members.
“PROPANE DAY” ASSISTANCE -- NPGA will expand its offerings to help states develop these events and potentially provide on-site assistance.
LEGISLATIVE SITE VISIT ASSISTANCE -- Expand NPGA’s Congressional visits to propane industry bulk plants to state and local legislators.
TRAINING FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS -- NPGA will develop additional materials and professional training opportunities for executive directors.

6. HOW CAN REGIONALIZED ADVOCACY PROVIDE THESE SERVICES?
Contracting with a national public affairs firm to provide legislative and communication assistance.
Partnering with key state and regional associations to coordinate regional activities and assist NPGA in delivering key messages to marketers.
Hiring regional representatives to provide on-the-ground assistance to state associations.
Using existing staff and expanding roles to address regional needs.

7. HYBRID APPROACH TO REGIONALIZED ADVOCACY
Hiring a national public affairs firm to assist the five states without legislative advocates.
Creating alliances with key state and regional associations and association management firms with significant propane industry experience.
Hiring regional representatives with advocacy skills and propane industry knowledge.
Expanding the roles of existing staff.
Contracting with third-party subject matter experts.

8. EXAMPLES OF REGIONALIZED ADVOCACY
SITUATION: Five states are without legislative advocates. SOLUTION: Bringing in outside public affairs firm to provide representation at the state capitols. SITUATION: Multiple states with the same issue request NPGA to testify at legislative hearings. SOLUTION: Deploy NPGA staff available, draft sample testimony for local industry members to present, find third-party expert to testify. SITUATION: Multiple states facing a similar challenge – such as limited liability. SOLUTION: NPGA can help draft legislation to be introduced, provide third-party experts for testimony, public affairs firm to create supporting materials to communicate with marketers or legislators.

9. COSTS
Depending on the approach agreed upon, NPGA believes it can fit the new costs into the existing budget and spending policy.
Current consensus is that this will not require a dues increase.
NPGA staff is investigating new sources of non-dues revenue.
Task force is also exploring how this initiative can work with PERC.

10. TIMELINE Concept approval by Executive Committee (February 11)
Initial presentation to Marketers Section and Board in Santa Barbara (February 12)
Decision by Executive Committee at EXPO (April 6-8)
Possible Board conference call week of April 9
Begin transition through