September 1, 2026, 2:00pm-3:30pm
This presentation will explain how to turn your ideas into legislation before the West Virginia Legislature, including:
· Legislative Services Division: Understanding our role in the bill drafting process.
· Finding a Sponsor: How to identify and secure a legislator to sponsor your bill.
· Bill Drafting Fundamentals: Learn the key components of a bill or resolution and how to effectively communicate your ideas and desired language to legislative drafters.
This is the latest training in our Stewart's Legislative Education Series, and it will be on The presentation and presenters will be at our office located at 6908 MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans WV 25177. You are welcome to join us in person or by Teams. (Note: we cannot reimburse you for travel if you chose to attend in person.)
Meet our presenters:
Anne Ellison:
Anne is the Director of the Legislative Service Division, which is a part of the West Virginia Legislature. This office works directly with the 134 members to draft and process their requests for legislation. Last year the office handled over 3,300 separate requests.
Anne is a life-long West Virginian, receiving her undergraduate degree in History & Government from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and her law degree from West Virginia University.
Anne has been with the Legislative Services division since 2014. Prior to working for the West Virginia Legislature, Anne practiced labor and employment law for a large law firm and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office.
Outside of the office, Anne stays busy by hiking with her dog, Buster, and looking for new birds to photograph. Anne and her husband, Kevin, are also avid outdoors people, taking advantage of the natural wonders, woods, and waters in their beautiful home state.
Aaron Kidd:
Aaron is an attorney for the West Virginia Joint Committee on Government and Finance at the West Virginia Legislature, where he drafts bills for members of the Legislature. He also works as an attorney for the House of Delegates Education Committee, where he
drafts and explains bills to members of the committee.
Mr. Kidd was previously an associate for Heavens Law Firm, PLLC, a personal injury law firm. He received his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2016 and received his bachelor's degree in economics with cum laude honors from Marshall University in 2013.
Mr. Kidd is a West Virginia native who grew up in Hurricane, West Virginia and currently lives in Scott Depot, West Virginia. He is a first-generation lawyer in his family. He and his brother, Andrew Kidd, play bluegrass music. Andrew, who is also a lawyer, is employed as a law clerk in Monongalia County, West Virginia.

He was a strong advocate who understood and lived the independent living philosophy. He was a role model and mentor to advocates and others in the disability community.
He volunteered countless hours of his time to monitor the Legislature and was a key member of the grassroots disability movement in our state. He was an authority and reso
He was a strong advocate who understood and lived the independent living philosophy. He was a role model and mentor to advocates and others in the disability community.
He volunteered countless hours of his time to monitor the Legislature and was a key member of the grassroots disability movement in our state. He was an authority and resource on disability rights and issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities. He was an important part of the advocacy team at the Capitol and was respected and listened to. He was one of a handful of experts on the ADA and other disability rights laws and was a resource to the State ADA Coordinator, the legislature, the State Fire Marshall, the Human Rights Commission, and many other state agencies and public entities.
He was the person many of us turn to when we had a problem and was always ready with a solution. He was recognized on the state, regional, and national level as an advocate and as a resource. He was a leader, teacher, mentor, guide, and peer to many of us.

She was one of the pioneers in the independent living movement in West Virginia and has been recognized nationally for her contributions to independent living and the rights of people with disabilities. She has been an advocate for people with disabilities all her life. She was one of the original staff members at the Huntington Center fo
She was one of the pioneers in the independent living movement in West Virginia and has been recognized nationally for her contributions to independent living and the rights of people with disabilities. She has been an advocate for people with disabilities all her life. She was one of the original staff members at the Huntington Center for Independent Living, the first CIL in West Virginia (now known as Mountain State Centers for Independent Living). She developed the peer-counseling program and coordinated the Transition Program for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.
She was one of the founders of the Fair Shake Network and served as the coordinator for several years. She led the fight to close Colin Anderson Center, the last state institution for people with developmental disabilities in West Virginia.
She developed and coordinated the Partners in Policymaking (PIP) program in West Virginia.
She helped author the legislation to close Colin Anderson Center, the Assistive Technology Revolving Loan Fund legislation, the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Act, the Independent Living Act, and others too numerous to name..
She was the coordinator for West Virginia in the national effort to secure the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
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