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SUBMIT TESTIMONY
Change happens when there is participation in the legislative process. It only takes a few minutes to voice your concerns and to help make a difference. One way to participate is to submit testimony on bills when they are scheduled for a hearing.
Over 3,000 bills are introduced each session. The Chamber reviews each one and identifies those that affect business. Thereafter, we track and testify on these measures as they move through the committees, as well as send our members Action Alerts when action is needed. These alerts are e-mailed almost on a weekly basis. We strongly urge our members to respond to these alerts and/or check the "Voice of Business" Legislative Action Center on a daily basis to find out if any action is needed.
The following are available methods to submit testimony:
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Chamber's
Action Alert System
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- Respond to e-mailed Action Alerts
Go to the Legislative Action Center site, click "Action Alerts," and follow the "Take Action" buttons. All you need to do is add your company information and click, "send."
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Submit testimony via the link provided on the e-version of the hearing notice - Fax testimony to the contact information provided on the hearing notice
- Deliver the specific number of copies of written testimony to the appropriate office listed on the hearing notice
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TESTIFY AT HEARINGS
If you are available to testify at hearings, we strongly urge you to do so, because nothing is more compelling than having businesses directly state their position and reasons to the committee and public. If you are interested, please let us know, so that we can assist you with the process-contact you when the bills are scheduled, call you in the event the hearing is running late, or help you prepare testimony.
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Committee Hearing
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- Prepare oral testimony in advance
- Introduce who you are and briefly describe your business and state your position
- Summarize your written testimony at the hearing
- Be prepared for questions and if you don't know the answer, just say so. You can get the information to committee members later. It is important to be honest and forthright
- Express your feelings in a professional manner. Provide examples of how the bill will affect your business
- Scheduled hearings may run late, so expect long waits
- Generally, each chair follows the order of the bills listed on the agenda, and the order in which they received the written testimony
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Guidelines to Keep in Mind
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Written testimony should be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the hearing (if within 24 hours, testimony will be considered LATE)
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Send a copy of your testimony to your own legislator and other legislators you may know
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In your written testimony, include the following information:
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