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Testify at a Public Hearing

Every bill that goes through the Maine Legislature receives a public hearing, and it’s one of your best opportunities to voice your opinion on the bill before it becomes law. Development proposals reviewed by federal, state, and local agencies also regularly include opportunities for public comment. Use the tools and resources below to learn how you can participate in public hearings.

testifying at Maine Legislature

An important step in the review of proposed bills, development proposals, and other environmental regulations or policies is the opportunity for public comment — including public hearings and similar events. NRCM’s outreach team is available to help you get started—reach out anytime. You can also sign up for our email updates to find out about public hearings and other opportunities to make your voice heard.

Testifying at the State House

Public hearings at legislative committees are held as hybrid hearings—you can testify online or in person in Augusta. To learn more about testifying on bills, read our simple steps below.

  1. Track the bills you care about via NRCM’s Bill Tracking Page, which gives a summary, NRCM’s position, and tells you where the bill is in the legislative process, including when public hearings are coming up.
  2. Sign up to testify online at a public hearing once it has been announced via the Maine Legislature’s Testimony Submission and Sign-up page. In order to testify online at the hearing, you must fill out this form at least 30 minutes before the hearing begins. You also have the option to testify in person in Augusta, which you do not need to sign up for. 
  3. Select the committee to which the bill has been assigned, the date of the hearing, and the bill title.
  4. To sign up to testify at the hearing, click the box that reads “I would like to present my testimony live” and indicate whether you are for or against the bill.
  5. If you have written testimony to submit with your oral testimony, you can upload a file or type the testimony into the text box on the page.
  6. Add your name, town, email address, and phone number.
  7. Click “I am not a robot” and “Submit/Register.”
  8. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email to the address provided when signing up to testify. This will come from the committee clerk and will have a link to register for the Zoom webinar. Fill out this registration form, and you’ll receive another email from Zoom with the link to join the hearing.
  9. Join the hearing with the provided link when it is time to start. You’ll begin as a “participant” in the Zoom webinar—meaning you can hear and see the committee members, but they will not be able to hear or see you. When it’s your turn to testify, you’ll be promoted to a “panelist,” and the committee members will be able to see and hear you.
  10. Deliver your testimony when called on by the committee chair. If it’s a busy hearing, you’ll likely be limited to three minutes. See the tips below for developing and delivering effective testimony.

Note: Persons with special needs who require accommodations to participate in legislative hearings should contact the Legislative Information Office at (207) 287-1692, FAX (207) 287-1580, lio@legislature.maine.gov

Tips for Writing Effective Testimony

  • Introduction: Address the committee co-chairs and thank them
  • Personal connection: Tell a personal story and explain why it relates to the bill.
  • Details: Demonstrate your knowledge of the issue—get specific about why the bill would or wouldn’t work for Maine.
  • Examples: Show how the issue has been addressed in other states or countries—and why Maine should follow their lead or chart its own course.
  • Closing: Restate how you’d like the committee to vote and invite questions.

Delivering Compelling Testimony

  • Practice your 3-minute testimony before the hearing.
  • Make sure you submit your written testimony via the testimony submission portal so that committee members can read along.
  • Let your legislators and NRCM know you’ll be testifying if they want to tune in and send them a copy of your testimony.
  • Log in a few minutes early for the hearing to get situated and hear others testify so you don’t miss your turn.
  • Make sure your video and audio are working and you’re in a quiet place where you can be heard.
  • Make sure your background is clear of distractions and your lighting is sufficient so you can be seen in the frame.
  • Speak slowly and clearly. Try to maintain eye contact with the camera.
  • Make your testimony personal, specific, and detailed.