Sometimes your Organization might plan to mobilize at a committee hearing for a bill you support or oppose, or a key member of your team may be asked to provide “expert testimony.” Preparing to deliver testimony will give your organization a confident and compelling voice that may persuade legislators to see the issues from your perspective. Below is a general guide to preparing testimony for a state legislative body. Be sure to look up your state’s testimony guidelines for state-specific rules.
General Guidelines for Effective Testimony
Your experience is your expertise. Write from your personal perspective and feel free to include details on how the issue in the legislation has or will affect you, your family, your organization, or your community. A compelling personal story closely related to the legislation goes far with influencing legislators.
Prepare verbal and written testimony. Make sure to bring enough written copies for each member of the committee (except for your members’ “me too’s.”) When preparing your verbal testimony, type and print your notes using size 36 font so you can easily read your script and look up to make eye contact with members of the committee.
Rehearse your testimony out loud before delivery. Ask for feedback from your team and make edits as you rehearse if you notice something does not flow well.
Identifying Members to Testify
There are a few factors to consider when identifying which members of your organization should provide testimony in a hearing:
- Who is a charismatic speaker and comfortable in front of a large group?
- Who has a particularly powerful personal story that directly relates to the legislation?
- Do you have a diverse mix of voices?
- Is the community impacted represented by those who are delivering testimony?
- Do your speakers look like the communities that will be impacted by this legislation?
- Do not shy away from preparing members who speak a language other than English. (Most legislative bodies should provide translators or accommodations, but be prepared to bring your own translation staff.)
Types of Testimony
There are four common types of testimony that your organization and members should be prepared to give. You do not need to include each type every time you mobilize before a committee, but you should consider what type of testimony will resonate with the elected officials you are speaking with.
- General Testimony: Begin with a greeting, then state your name and the organization you represent (if applicable) or your role. If you live in the district of any members of the committee, state that information as well. Articulate your support or opposition and the bill’s number and title. Include one or two facts or data points, if available. Lean on your personal experience to explain why you support or oppose this bill and what impact it would have on your community. Close with a memorable ending. Your testimony should take approximately one to two minutes.
- “Me Too” Testimony: The “me too” testimony follows the general testimony and is meant to quickly agree with those who provided testimony before you. Just as in the general testimony, begin with a greeting, then state your name and the organization you represent (if applicable) or your role. In one sentence, share what bill you support or oppose and why. Each “me too” testimony should only take approximately 10-15 seconds.
- Expert Testimony: Expert testimony differs slightly from general testimony. As an “expert” providing testimony on a topic, your role is to bring a particular perspective from deep expertise on the issue. Data and research are particularly important for expert testimony. However, personal stories and heart-moving anecdotes still remain a powerful driver of human decision-making. Expert witnesses can anticipate that questions may arise from committee members, and there may be some degree of dialogue. Feel empowered to say “I will get back to you” if you do not know the answer to a particular question. Then, get contact information for the officials’ staff members so you can provide the requested information. Expert testimony can typically be as long as five minutes.
- Online Testimony: Many state legislative bodies have shifted to conducting some hearings online. If your hearing is virtual, it is important to look into your state’s specific guidelines to submit testimony. Research how to sign up for a spot in advance of the hearing. Ensure you and your members who are testifying have strong WiFi, good lighting, a quiet space, and ideally headphones with built-in microphones.
Testimony Template
Greetings, my name is _____, I am a member of _____(organization), and I am a _____(role). I am testifying in favor of/support of...” OR “I am testifying against/in opposition to...” _____(bill number).
Content: State or list the reasons for your position, starting with the most important or compelling reasons. Include any facts, figures, and experiences to support your position.
Closing: Include any closing remarks; Reiterate your position on the measure. I hope you will vote for/vote against __________(bill number). Thank you.
Video Examples
For examples of fellow education advocates providing testimony, review the following videos:
Grandparent Leader addresses the Metro Nashville Public Schools board regarding Learning Loss
Parent Testimony in New York State Executive Budget Proposal hearing, 2021
Example Written Testimony
Representative Dwight Y. Takamine, Chair Representative Noboru Yonamine, Vice Chair Committee on Labor and Public Employment
Hawaii Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
Tuesday, March 19, 1991
Support for S.B. No. 818, S.D. 1, Relating to Family Leave
The Hawaii Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition is part of a national cooperative group of private and non-profit organizations and individuals committed to improving maternal and infant health in the State of Hawaii through educational and advocacy efforts. We strongly support S.B. No. 818, S.D. 1, Relating to Family Leave, which would give employees working for employers of fifty or more employees the right to 3 months of unpaid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a son or daughter of the employee.
People should not be forced to choose between work and family. We have a situation in the U.S. of supporting children and family in our popular culture but not fully supporting them in our social policies. Compared to other industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks poorly in several key indicators of children's and families' quality of life. We need to develop social and working policies that adequately support new lives and the mental and physical health of families.
Even though a number of businesses are beginning to provide parental-leave options, this act would broaden this protection to more of Hawaii's workforce. Some will argue that such a policy need not be mandated. Child-labor laws had to be mandated, and we are all glad they were. Our society decided that in some cases the family needed legal protection. Unpaid parental leave is a modest but vital step toward recognizing the relationship between job security and family security.
In expanding the options for Hawaii's labor force, we are creating a health-promoting atmosphere and a foundation for future generations of healthy people and healthy families. We urge the committee to pass S.B. No. 818, S.D. 1. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
Resources
View the Organizing and Advocacy Playbook as a PDF
Background Information
Advocacy Action Plan Phase-Learning
Advocacy Action Plan Phase-Planning
Advocacy Action Plan Phase-Implementation
Advocacy Action Plan Phase-Execution
Advocacy Action Plan Phase-Reflection