Tips on Testifying Before a Legislative Committee

[0:00] The committee process is a primary step in developing and passing legislation at the [0:04] state capitol. [0:06] Those who testify during a committee meeting can play a significant role in determining [0:10] the outcome of that legislation. [0:13] Often those who testify are government officials or lobbyists, but the voice of the public [0:18] is also a key element in the committee process. [0:21] I think public testimony is really important for a number of reasons. [0:26] Others simply cannot be experts on all topics, usually have 3,000 bills that get introduced [0:32] in a legislative session on a lot of different topics and they may serve on four or five committees, [0:38] so it's really hard for them to become experts in every single topic. [0:42] So I do think that public testimony provides an opportunity for them to hear a perspective [0:48] that they may not have thought of. [0:51] The personal experiences of individual citizens brings important and valuable testimony to [0:56] the process, providing lawmakers with another point of view to consider when debating legislation. [1:03] We know every bill has an impact on people's lives. [1:06] What we want to hear is how does that person testifying and addressing the Senate feel about [1:12] that bill? [1:13] How would it affect their lives? [1:14] What is the story behind it? [1:16] Stories are really powerful in moving legislators and helping to form an opinion and it's a [1:22] great way for us to see a real world application of some of the issues we're addressing. [1:27] It is those human stories more than anything that absolutely touches legislators. [1:33] When somebody comes in and really connects, really connects with us and tells us how something [1:39] has affected their lives and their families and their communities, it absolutely makes [1:44] a difference. [1:45] Personal experience is one way to have an impact at the Capitol. [1:48] Being well organized and keeping statements brief are others. [1:53] On any given day, legislators sit through numerous committees, wade through pages of data, and [1:58] listen to hours of testimony. [2:01] Using time wisely is key to committee testimony. [2:05] There are two items in the direct care and treatment services area that I would like to [2:08] specifically mention. [2:10] The first is the child and adolescent... [2:11] I have kind of three little quick rules that I try to follow. [2:15] Keep it simple. [2:16] Keep it short. [2:17] Keep it focused. [2:20] You have to respect their time. [2:22] There's usually a dozen or two dozen people waiting in line to testify on given bills. [2:27] So your testimony really needs to be at a pretty fast clip pace. [2:31] I try to keep testimony usually at two to three minutes. [2:35] I try to get to the important things right up front. [2:38] I usually try to focus on just two to three points because if it gets much more than that, [2:43] you're diluting what message you're trying to convey. [2:47] Keep a presentation around two to three minutes if you can. [2:51] That leaves a little time for senators to ask questions if there are questions. [2:55] Make sure that you're prepared. [2:57] You know what you're going to talk about. [2:58] Don't just come up and wing it, so to speak. [3:03] Credibility is the currency in which legislators and professional and citizen lobbyists deal. [3:09] Truthful information is any testifier's best friend. [3:12] It is the foundation for the laws that are passed at the Capitol. [3:17] Being forthright, credible, and respectful are the cornerstones of great testimony. [3:23] We base our decisions on the information that is being presented in these hearings. [3:30] So to be credible is extremely important. [3:33] The whole testimony process, really, you're not sworn in. [3:36] It's not a court of law. [3:38] But it is based on a trust system that you are telling the truth when you testify. [3:44] It's important for a lobbyist never to bluff, never to provide false information. [3:49] They don't want to exaggerate or extend the circumstances that may have happened to them. [3:56] Just be specific. [3:57] And if there is a question that they can't answer, they can offer to get back to a legislator [4:02] as well. [4:03] Participation in the legislative process takes many forms. [4:07] Meeting and corresponding with lawmakers are common methods. [4:11] Committee testimony is another. [4:13] One where lawmakers welcome and encourage public participation. [4:16] I think we all have that image from congressional testimony where someone stands up and holds [4:20] up their right hand and there are all the photographers sitting in front of them. [4:23] It is nothing like that in the Minnesota legislature. [4:27] You know, you'll have a couple of people sitting at the testifier's table and you'll have a line [4:33] of senators or representatives there to just sort of listen and then there will be maybe [4:37] a little dialogue after the fact. [4:38] But the whole point is to welcome people into this process. [4:42] I'm a mother of three, I'm a housewife. [4:45] Legislators are very respectful for people who are testifying for the first time. [4:51] It is a, think of it as just communicating with ten people, try to block out all the other [4:56] people in the room. [4:57] You truly are the expert at your story. [5:01] Nobody else knows the details or what perspective you bring. [5:06] You're sharing your thoughts. [5:08] These aren't things like a test where there's a right or wrong. [5:11] This is your perspective. [5:13] We appreciate you making the effort to be here with us. [5:15] Thank you for your time. [5:17] I did not think I would be here sitting, telling you that, hey, I got you. [5:20] Giving testimony does not guarantee passage or failure of legislation, but it could influence [5:26] one or more committee members, and that may be enough to determine the outcome. [5:32] I think, and this is something that any of us who are trying to be persuasive in any facet [5:37] of our life, what we're trying to do is get a message across and persuade somebody to see [5:43] it our way. [5:44] And I think the most important part of that is to be really clear on what you think is [5:50] the most persuasive point you can make and how you can make it. [5:55] And keep it simple. [5:57] Try to identify what the problem is and what it is you would like legislators to do about [6:04] it. [6:05] It's not just good enough to get up there and say, this is a problem, this is a problem, [6:09] this is a problem. [6:10] How do you want legislators to help solve that problem? [6:14] If you're prepared, if you hit a few key points, and if you can make it personal, you've got [6:21] an effective presentation. [6:22] A legislator may not walk in your shoes. [6:24] We don't have your experiences. [6:25] We don't have your perspective. [6:27] And that's what we're looking for from you. [6:30] We want you to share with us how laws, bills affect your life. [6:34] Once again. [6:37] Once again.