Legislation

NAA Advocate 2021

How It Went and Why It’s So Important

By Nathan Lybarger, Law Office of Hall & Associates

Each year, as a spearhead to its ongoing advocacy efforts, members of the National Apartment Association (NAA) from across the country descend onto the streets, halls, and offices of our legislature.

NAA’s Advocate Conference gives local GNAA membership the opportunity to meet face-to-face with our Congressional representation. These meetings are not only an effort to lay out NAA’s legislative goals in the immediate future, but more importantly to share our personal experiences in order to explain to our Congresspeople why these goals are important. Our legislators hear from lobbyists constantly, but to sit and talk with their constituents helps them gain a deeper understanding of the bills and policies that are brought forth in their offices and on the floors of Congress. While 2021 was a different experience, our Tennessee Apartment Association (TNAA) members made the most of the virtual version of the annual conference.

During the week of March 8, 2021, TNAA members met with six Members of Congress (or their staffs) virtually. While the virtual format might have made a personal connection more difficult, it also encouraged more member participation because travel and accommodations were not necessary. Since the meetings with our Congresspeople could extend beyond one day, it also made it more possible for the Congressperson to meet with our group personally. Based

NATHAN LYBARGER

Hall & Associates

on the feedback provided, we found the meetings to be an effective substitute to our normal in-person format.

While attendance year after year may help build a rapport with the members of Congress, it’s equally important that we encourage new attendees to speak and meet with legislators. The more diversity we have among our personal experiences, the more we can educate Congressional members about the issues affecting our industry. Hearing the same angle from the same person each year starts to dull its effect, but to consistently hear new experiences from new voices gives strength to our narrative. If you haven’t participated before or if it’s been a while, we’d encourage any who are interested to join us next year when we (surely) will be back in Washington, D.C.

If the Washington experience is too great of a commitment, the Tennessee Apartment Association organizes a similar event in early spring of each year: TNAA’s Day on the Hill. That day follows a similar format, wherein our local members get to meet with Tennessee State Legislators, usually on specific bills our industry is either supporting or opposing. And in the same way, putting personal experience within our industry’s position helps our legislators understand what kind of unintended consequences might come as a result of their well-intentioned bill. It also helps to address potential concerns the legislators or their constituents may have regarding the impact of our bills our industry supports. Our advocacy role at the state level is even more magnified because TNAA is the only agency representing the interest of landlords across the state.

See NAA’s 2021 event page for more information about the Advocate Conference. Also, stay tuned early next year for the 2022 spring events if you’re interested in participating.