CMOR State Capitol Network
HOW TO TESTIFY BEFORE A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

The process of testifying at a committee meeting varies slightly by jurisdiction. However, CMOR has developed the following fact sheet to assist you in testifying before any legislative committee.

THE PURPOSE OF A COMMITTEE HEARING
The purpose of a committee meeting is to educate the committee members of the issues surrounding a bill. The hearing is an opportunity for interested parties to present their position and state any concerns/opposition/support of the legislation.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• BE PREPARED
  • Call the committee staff to find out the particulars of the hearing
  • Find out the location of the committee hearing, the room, the building, the correct time
  • Ask about the correct format for your statements (i.e. oral or written, whether your statements have to be submitted prior to testifying, etc.)
  • Ask who else will be testifying and whether each will be testifying in support or opposition to the measure
• KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
  • Find out the names of each of the Legislators assigned to the committee (and their key staff)
  • Always be respectful of the committee members and their staff
• KNOW THE ISSUE
  • Be sure to have a copy of the bill and any supporting documents for reference
  • When testifying, support your position with as many facts as possible; when stating opinion, be certain to phrase that information in terms of “in my opinion…”
    
    
• TESTIFYING
• MODEL INTRODUCTION
  Good morning (or afternoon) Chair (state the name of the Chair), members of the (name of the committee) committee, I am (state your name and company) representing CMOR, a national trade association formed to protect the interests of the survey and opinion research profession. We would like to take this opportunity to record our (endorsement, objection, support, etc) of the passage of (bill number) based on these facts (briefly outline the facts).
• MODEL CONCLUSION
  On behalf of the CMOR and the entire research profession, I wish to thank (Chair's name) and the rest of the honored (name of the committee) committee members for the opportunity to testify before you today and for your attention and consideration of our position. I would be happy to answer any questions.
  • If you are asked a question, begin your response with name of the individual asking the question (i.e. Senator Smith)
• FOLLOW-UP
  • Follow-up your testimony with a letter to each committee member, thanking them for the opportunity to present our position on the bill.
    For additional information on how to effectively testify before a legislative committee, please contact the CMOR government affairs staff.