In early 2020, the League's Board of Directors revised the member-driven process that forms our organization's legislative policy positions—their goal is to expand the process to receive as much input from all of our municipal officials that reflects the diversity of our members’ opinions and circumstances.

This member-driven process coincides with the start of each new legislative biennium. During even-numbered years, members come together to share their legislative goals and priorities.

The basic process includes the following steps:​

1. Members submit their ideas for legislative goals. Ideas should fit into the League’s overarching policy focus areas, be actionable and be applicable to cities and towns statewide.

2. The NCLM Legislative Policy Committee considers all submitted ideas through the lens of the Core Municipal Principles​ and policy focus areas and submits its suggestions to the NCLM Board of Directors.

3. After reviewing and refining the NCLM Legislative Policy Committee’s suggestions, the NCLM Board of Directors presents the goals to the entire membership for a vote.

4. Each municipality casts a single vote on the policy goals and the results are used by League staff, members and legislative leaders to advance the agenda together.​​​

Policy Development Timeline:

September | Select policy focus areas: NCLM Board of Directors

September - October | Gather ideas: NCLM Membership

October - November | Refine ideas: Legislative Policy Committee

December | Reccomend ideas: NCLM Board of Directors

January | Finalize ideas: NCLM Membership Vote

February | Unite behind ideas: NCLM Members & Legislators