One of the best ways to advocate for pro-science policies that protect Hoosiers’ health is by testifying at the Indiana Statehouse.
The Indiana General Assembly meets for a legislative session once a year when House and Senate members introduce bills. These bills follow several steps before becoming Indiana state legislation, including hearings. At these hearings, members of the public can testify about the bill to express their opinions. Committee members view these testimonies as useful feedback about the bill’s viability. Testifying may seem daunting and complicated, but it’s more straightforward than you might think.
Step 1: Register
To testify about a bill, you will need to register. Go to the Indiana General Assembly website to view a list of the current session’s bills. When you find your bill number, click on the hyperlink. After you are redirected, select “Bill Actions” on the screen’s left side; it will indicate what past and upcoming actions there are for your bill. You should continue to check “Bill Actions” daily for updates.
When you see the date for your bill’s hearing, click the blue box in the middle of the page, “Appearance Form” this will bring you to a screen where you can register. Note that you typically cannot register to testify until the day before or the day of a hearing, so you may need to return to a committee’s page daily. When you register, make a note of the room in the Statehouse where the testimony will be held.
Step 2: Prepare Your Testimony
Typically, each person has three to five minutes to speak. You should prepare three main points to make with evidence to support each. You may want to prioritize your top issue in case your testimony time is limited. Bringing notes with you can help you stay on track.
Practice giving your testimony out loud. It is common to speak quickly when presenting, so remind yourself to slow down, even if it feels unnatural or like you are talking too slowly. It’s also common to feel nervous, but the more prepared you are, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Remember, your testimony is every bit as important as everyone else’s there.
Step 3: Go to the Statehouse
The order of the bills being heard and the testimonies will not be announced until the day of the hearing; get to the Statehouse at least thirty minutes before the hearings begin. After you go through security, find your room, check-in, and wait for instructions.
While you wait, remind yourself of your points, take deep breaths, and relax. Once you are finished testifying, pat yourself on the back! Testifying takes courage and can make a difference in policy decisions. Be sure to celebrate your success!
Testifying at the Indiana Statehouse may seem like a difficult, scary proposition, but it’s something that everyday citizens do every day while the General Assembly is in session. Make your voice heard!
For more information about advocacy, check out our Advocacy Starter Kit.
