At the Legislative Conference, delegates will have the opportunity to be a Representative or Senator to write and debate bills. Delegates can apply to serve as a Lobbyist speaking in favor or against a bill written by their peers or apply to be a Budget Analyst providing a fiscal grade of feasibility as it relates to the North Carolina budget.
This experience increases awareness both of how our state government works and pertinent current events.
Representative/Senator
Typically experienced or older participants begin debating bills in the Senate or House of Representatives. However, this is always subject to change and is dependent on the age and experience of the bill group authors. Grade 9 students begin in forum committees to practice prior to joining the House or Senate chambers.
As a Representative or Senator, you will:
- Write and argue a bill in front of both the House and Senate Chambers. If your bill passes in both chambers, you will present before the Youth Governor to potentially have your bill signed into Youth and Government law.
- You must submit an original bill, either as an individual or in a group of no more than 3 people, in order to participate.
- No experience is required to participate.
- Representatives may also apply to be appointed as a Floor Leader or Committee Chair/Clerk
- Review the Legislator Overview to learn more.
Budget Analyst
Delegates must apply to participate as a Budget Analyst. Reference the specialty application roles. In this role you:
- Will be assigned Youth and Government bills and must submit a budget analysis for each bill.
- You will argue for and against bills based on the best interest of state budgets, during both committees and chambers.
- Review the Budget Analyst overview to learn more about this role.
Lobbyist
Delegates must apply to participate as a Lobbyist. Reference the specialty application roles. In this role you:
- Be assigned an area of interest and corresponding Youth and Government bills. You must submit a background paper arguing in favor of or in opposition to each bill assigned in order to participate.
- Argue for or against bills, based on what is in the best interest of your area, during chambers at conference.
- Review the Lobbyist overview to learn more about this role.
Freshmen Forum
Freshmen Forum is part of the legislative program. On the first day of conference, freshmen are able to practice presenting and debating with other freshmen prior to collaborating and debating with older students.
Legislative Support Positions
Representatives and Senators may apply to be appointed as a Floor Leader or Committee Chair. Applicants for these positions must have at least one year of Youth and Government Conference experience at the time of appointment.
Floor Leaders help to move debate along in committee rooms and chambers by making a motion. This position must know the parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules of Order.
Committee Chairs lead the committee rooms and work with officers to ensure quality and consistency. This position must know the parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules of Order. Committee chairs require one year of conference experience at the time of appointment.
Governors Cabinet - Delegates must be seniors in high school to apply for this legislative support position. This role helps the Governor in reviewing bills to be signed into law. This role also provides policy expertise prior to the Conference to support all delegates. Typically, for this role, 11 delegates are chosen through an application process each year.
Clerk - This role will support Presiding Officers in chambers by reading the bill title and keeping time. Applicants must have a strong understanding of the parliamentary procedure, Roberts Rules of Order and the Joint Standing Rules.