Learning about Writing Laws

Today, all three villages had the privilege of learning from Ben Johnson, a PCCS parent who works at the Minnesota legislature, writing bills into formal language and format for discussion by Representatives. He told us about his job and showed us the two big books of laws that had been passed in just one year in Minnesota. He said, "I have 134 bosses, and almost none of them agree. They all want something different." He explained that courts, agencies, prosecutors and many others all argue about the bills he writes up. He said, "My job is to take what everyone wanted and write it down in the way it will be clearest and best. I don't make the decisions. My 134 bosses argue and make the decisions."

Ben works for the House Research Department. About 30 people do what he does. There are people who do the same job for the state senate. He explained what happens when a representative has an idea for a new law: "They come into my office, and they say, 'Hi Ben. I'm Representative So and So and I want a law that does this.' Sometimes they have a specific idea, and other times they just have a vague, general idea and I research and write it up."

The vast majority of bills don't pass. Almost 3,000 were proposed this time, and about 1,000 were passed. Some will come back, but some won't.

Ben wrote up some of Village C (Mini-sota)'s laws in the format of state legislation. There was much excitement as students learned that anyone can propose a law. Ben explained that a person would need to talk to their legislator and convince them to write the bill.

He told us about current examples. One is the hands-free cell phone law that takes effect August 1. He said that it took 10 years of work to get that law passed. This led to a very long and persistent Q&A about how that law works, what the loopholes are, what if what if what if. Ben complimented the students on their careful thinking through of the details of a bill--he said that that's exactly what he does in his job.

It was fun for students to take their own experiences in village and turn them into questions for Ben about his work. One student asked if Ben had experience having to deal with a law that he thought was a waste of time. Ben said yes! But his own personal opinions are not relevant. His job is to give representatives the best version of what they want and let the process take it from there.

Another student asked what is the most important part of his job. Ben said communicating clearly to the members. Everything needs to be as clear as it can possibly be so they can make good decisions.

Ben said that when the legislature is not in session, he gets to decide on how he spends his time. He gets to make decisions about things that will support representatives. He gets to choose topics and do research and write papers--sounds like an annual honors project, which sounds dreamy to me!

The students had many, many questions for Ben. It was such an exciting opportunity for us to learn from someone who has such an important role in making actual laws in our state. Thank you so much, Ben, for being generous with your time and teaching us about how laws are made!

CTO

Comments

[Tricia Swedin]

What a cool experience. Thank you Ben! Also, now I know why Sydney was telling me all about the hands free law tonight. :)

[Kate Buckmeier]

Amazing! The power of the Village experience is astounding!