California YMCA Youth & Government

Model Legislature & Court

Will be presenting, debating, and passing their delegation bills in Committee and on their House floor

Bill sponsor will be in the House in which the delegation bill originates

Must know basic parliamentary procedure

Be prepared to speak and answer questions

Two main roles1.See that your assigned bills get passed

• Every delegate will be given at least 2 bills to Lobby, one for and one against

2.Educate legislatures on your assigned billsIn Sacramento – Wednesday-Saturday will be in committee speaking on billsSaturday and Sunday will be in a group (PAC) writing an initiative of your group’s choice. After you write and research the initiative, you will need to get signatures to get your initiative on the ballot to be voted on.Lobbyist Luncheon

• Will be responsible for taking an assembly member or senator to a special luncheon to woo them to pass your bill

Focuses on current issues in education in California

Delegates divide into task forces to work on an aspect of a major topic to research, hear speakers, and write a proposal advocating their solution

Analyze the fiscal impact of assigned legislation – how much is this going to cost California?

Responsibilities: Prepare and write analysis of the bills in your committee Give an oral presentation of your bill analysis Speak on the Senator/Assembly floor to discuss your

findings

Will be assigned to a large group (at least 50 delegates)

Each large budget group will be competing with other groups to create a budget which the Governor will approve

Mimics the Judicial Branch of the California State Government• Trial Court• Appellate Court• Jury Trial • Supreme Court• Judicial Review

Try a case with a partner in a court room in front of a judge, against two other delegates

Learn trial techniques and the basics of trial advocacy such as: • opening statements• closing statements• direct examinations• courtroom evidence

Where the party who lost at the trial court level goes to appeal their loss

Decides if the law was correctly applied in the lower court’s case

Delegates will serve as either a justice or attorney

Must apply and interview to be selected

Participate in jury selection Try a case, give opening statements,

and cross examine witnesses in front of a jury of your peers

Must apply and interview to be selected

Try cases involving complicated constitutional issues

Must apply and interview to be selected

Hybrid of Appellate and Supreme Court

Will be given a former Model Legislature Bill that was passed and question its constitutionality

Responsibilities:Independently research an issue of national or international importance on a specific topic of your choiceWrite a one page proposal Prepare and deliver a two minute speech in favor of your proposal Proposals will be ranked 1 to 5 on the following criteria:

• Feasibility • Debatability • Evidence of Research• Creativity • Matter of National or International Importance

Delegates will write a State Constitution from scratch in three days

Discuss and shape the California government you want to create

Will work one-on-one, as well as in small groups

Open to Juniors and Seniors only

Report the daily goings on of the ML/C on digital and print platforms including:• website• mobile site• twitter feed• Sunday Paper

Responsible for Y&G newscasts Roles available by application only

• Reporters• Anchors• Cameramen• Editors• Producers

Designed to give participants an opportunity to run a political campaign for office

Supports candidates for Youth Governor and Secretary of State

Creatively recruits for party membership

Measure and interpret people’s opinions

Gather info on political candidates and people’s interests and/or concerns

Four team captains will be selected at T&E 2

Volunteer for program – not included in role distribution

Designed to allow new participants an opportunity to see every facet of the Model Legislature & Court

Work with the legislative houses, Governor’s office, and court programs

A unique ML/C experience for Freshman delegates• Be a part of a group of 15-20 delegates• Work with group members to create a bill• Debate bills in the Forum house using

parliamentary procedure• Assume a specific role and perform the duties

assigned to that role. Roles include Chairperson, Vice‑Chairperson, Clerk, Chaplain, Fiscal Analyst, Court, Press, and Lobbyist