A key component to LOTA is its Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee consists of active LOTA members who volunteer their time and expertise to monitor legislative and regulatory issues that impact, or have the potential to impact, the OT profession. The Legislative Committee is also responsible for keeping in contact with our lobbyist. Our lobbyist and committee members collaborate and work year-round together. 

At the beginning of each year, legislative bills that are found to be of high importance are reviewed by our lobbyist and the legislative committee. Initially, workshops and meetings are held to determine LOTA’s stance on the bills (neutral, oppose, support, or monitor further). Then, everyone gets to work! Our lobbyist sets up meetings and creates relationships with legislators and regulatory boards. Our committee provides representatives that can speak in front of legislative committees in order to educate lawmakers on OT’s important role in the community. Our committee initiates letter writing campaigns to support or oppose changes going on in the legislation. Our committee is responsible for creating and amending the language of bills to better protect the OT profession. Once the legislative session begins, our lobbyist provides LOTA with a weekly Bill Status Report. As a LOTA member, you have easy access to all of this information through our Current Legislative & Advocacy Issues page! Continuous monitoring is important to be prepared if further action is needed during the session. Through this process, LOTA fights for your job by protecting our practice act and ensuring OT isn't left behind when new laws are being created. 

We are appreciative of our members who volunteer their time and expertise to this committee as it is a very time-consuming process. We are grateful for a lobbyist who keeps us up-to-date with anything new that arises and is quick to take action when needed.