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How To Testify

Maine State House
Testifing in Augusta

Public hearings are printed in the Bangor Daily News weekend edition, The Maine Sunday Telegram, and the Lewiston Sunday Sun.

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You can also find the information posted on the legislature's website     www.legislature.maine.gov    under the legislative activities calendar page under the "public hearings and work sessions" tab.

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Or call the legislative information office at (207) 247-1692   or   1-(800) 301-3178.


Committee hearings are usually held in the State Capital or on the second floor of the Cross Office Building. The two are connected with an underground tunnel which can be entered from the ground floor of either building. You will pass through a security checkpoint, so allow yourself extra time.

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The times and locations will be posted on the first floor of the State House and the second floor of the Cross Office Building.

Testifying
In 
Person

Maine State House

Prepare your three-minute testimony in written form. Look up the Senate and House Chair of the committee which can be found here.  In your written testimony: Address the committee as "Senator _______________, Representative _______________, and esteemed members of the committee".

Introduce yourself and state whether you support, oppose, or are offering suggestions for the bill followed by your testimony.

Once you arrive at the committee hearing room, sign up and wait until it's your time to testify.

  • When it's your time to present your testimony, approach the podium and sign in.

  • Remain at the podium once you've finished giving your testimony so the committee members may ask you questions.

Keep your composure calm and don't applaud other speakers while you're there. Silence all cell phones and other electronic devices.

Bring at least 20 copies with you to leave with the committee clerk before you testify. Photocopies can be made for a small fee in the Law and Legislative Reference Library in room 200 of the State House.

Free parking is available in the garage on the corner of State Street and Sewall Street or where spaces are marked general parking.

WRITTEN AND ORAL TESTIMONY TIPS

  • Decide on the main idea you want to express to the committee.

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  • Use your time wisely--choose the most important thing that you want them to understand.

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  • Respectfully describe your point of view without being hyperbolic, dramatic, or inflammatory.

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  • Pull your ideas from your own reality. Avoid hypothetical situations.

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  • Express how the bill will influence or affect you.

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  • If you are using data, ensure that it is correct and credible. Include a link to the source of your data.

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  • Do not assume the committee understands your context, your experience is unique to you. Use language that is concrete and literal.

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  • Maximum length should be one page written or three minutes oral. Prepare a one-minute oral version as well in case testimonial time is cut down.

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  • Use the correct testimony format: Begin oral testimony by addressing the Committee Chairs and members. Then state whether you support, oppose, or are offering suggestions for the bill.

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  • Have at least one person proofread your testimony.

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  • Oral Testimony: Practice many times with your notes and time yourself. The committee will cut you off when you reach the time limit.

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  • Oral Testimony: You cannot show graphs, photos, or other props. You CAN include them with written testimony.

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  • Testimonies become a public record. Only share what you want to be made public.

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  • Remember to close your testimony by asking the committee to vote in either support or opposition to the bill.

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  • Submit 20 copies of your testimony to the appropriate legislative committee clerk.

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