The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a conservative nonprofit organization established in 1973 that brings together state legislators and private sector representatives, primarily from corporations, to collaboratively draft and disseminate model legislation for state governments. ALEC operates through task forces composed of lawmakers and industry leaders who develop policy proposals on various topics, including taxation, technology, labor regulations, environmental policies, criminal justice, election integrity, school choice, and occupational licensing reform. These model bills promote free-market principles, limited government intervention, deregulation, and uniformity in state laws to facilitate predictable business operations across the United States.

ALEC has exerted significant influence on American state legislatures, with thousands of its model bills introduced annually, many of which become law. The organization is funded largely by corporate members from sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications, who pay membership fees and participate actively in policy development. ALEC also receives grants from entities like DonorsTrust to support its conservative legislative agenda. This close corporate involvement has drawn criticism for acting as a shadow lobby that embeds business interests into legislation without public input. Notable controversies include ALEC's promotion of "stand your ground" laws following the 2012 Trayvon Martin shooting, support for voter ID laws, and efforts to roll back renewable energy mandates, which have led to boycotts and investigations.

Despite scrutiny and membership declines in the early 2010s, ALEC has rebounded by rebranding and broadening its focus to include opposition to progressive social policies. It currently maintains a network of over 2,000 state legislators and continues to host conferences and provide resources that strengthen conservative policymaking at the state level, highlighting its enduring role in connecting corporate power and political decision-making.