Cities and towns often approve local laws in their town meetings or city council sessions which then require the approval of the state legislature to go into effect. Some examples are ranked choice voting in local elections, plastic grocery bag bans, even changing the name of the Board of Selectmen to Select Board. If your town has such a bill pending before the legislature and your League wishes to support (or oppose) it, you can do that.
The state League’s Legislative Action Committee (LAC) does not follow bills that are limited to one town or geographic region. Local Leagues can testify on such bills, but they need to work with the LAC so that the committee is aware of all League actions being taken in the legislature and to assure there is a League position to support what the local League wants to do.
We have a policy that spells out exactly what steps a local League should take, and please note the LAC is happy to help you every step of the way. Once a local League has taken up a home-rule bill, it’s best to contact your state representative or senator—whoever submitted the bill on behalf of the town—and ask them to keep you informed when a hearing is scheduled on the bill so you can submit testimony.
Here’s the policy for local League action in the legislature.