Etablishing Relationships
When testifying at the Minnesota Legislature, it’s important to respect the decorum of the committees and the process. Here are some tips to consider when preparing for your testimony at the Capitol:
- Legislative committee staff is responsible for setting agendas for each hearing and will establish guidelines for testimony and the speaking order of testifiers.
- Work with AMSD staff if you are asked to testify on a specific piece of legislation. AMSD can help you prepare and submit testimony or handouts.
- Know the allotted time you will have in advance and plan on very brief testimony – often only 2-3 minutes.
- Have your testimony prepared in advance.
- Start your testimony when directed by the chair with “Thank you, Madame/Mr. Chair. For the committee record, my name is X and my title is X.”
- Testimony and Q&A should go through the chair of the committee.
- All committee hearings are open to the public and taped.
- If you are asked a question and you don’t know the answer: DON’T GUESS. It is better to say you will research the issue and provide the information to the committee as soon as possible.
