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In an era where policy evolves rapidly, a traditional compliance first mindset is no longer enough to keep pace with today’s business realities.
Governments and regulations are shifting faster than ever, and companies can no longer afford to merely react; they must anticipate.
This matters even more now as the 2026 legislative session is already underway.
The ability to see around the corner, before bills are filed and regulations finalized, has become a powerful competitive advantage.
The reality is, by the time a new law appears in the news, it’s too late to react. The real conversations have already occurred, well before language appears in the legislative record.
That’s why having eyes and ears inside the Statehouse matters—someone with the foresight, relationships and communication skills needed to keep business owners ahead of the curve while they stay focused on running their companies.
Understanding the inner workings of the Legislature is about far more than politics; it’s about relationships.
It’s helpful when business leaders maintain relationships with their local representatives, but what happens when their representative isn’t on the committee shaping a bill with major implications for their industry? What if the key conversations are happening elsewhere?
That’s why relationships across all 150 seats matter.
During a legislative session, business owners can get ahead of the curve by taking three key steps.
Draft and propose solutions: Instead of waiting to oppose a problematic bill, businesses should work with government-relations experts to draft their own legislative proposals.
Offering policy language early helps shape the debate and ensures the industry perspective is considered from the start—not added as a late amendment.
Build relationships with staff: Legislators’ offices are less hectic outside of session. Meeting with legislators and key staff during this time establishes your company as a trusted subject-matter resource. Then, when legislation is being drafted, they call you first.
Harness technology for tracking: Don’t rely on headlines. Use tools to monitor pre-filed bills, analyze carryover legislation and follow early signals from policy influencers.
Understanding which ideas are gaining traction allows businesses to allocate advocacy resources strategically.
The business landscape is shifting quickly. Training programs, workforce alignment and healthcare policies that impact a business’s workforce are evolving.
Expecting a business owner to track every change pulls their attention away from core operations. Having an expert with a seat at the table, someone who can monitor proposals, anticipate consequences and engage in conversations before ink dries, is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.•
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Brooke Burtnett is the senior director of public policy at Dentons. Kate Collins is the director of public policy.
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