Public Testimony Overview

Idaho has an open legislative process.  All committee action on Administrative Rules and legislation that has been assigned a bill number is conducted in open session. Once one of the above items has been introduced, it is assigned to a standing committee for study and consideration.  The committee Chairman determines when it is scheduled for a hearing.  Public testimony is permitted at most committee meetings.

Legislative committee meetings are generally informal, but it is important that you follow the guidelines and protocols below.

Before a committee meeting

Find out which committee(s) will be hearing your bill(s). This information is found on the Senate and House committee agendas published to the legislative website.  Or by contacting Senate and House committee staff.

Be prepared. Plan your testimony, you will be more effective if you have prepared what you plan to say.

If the committee is having a meeting where they will allow remote testimony, then sign up on the public testimony registration tab of the committee web page ahead of time. The committee agenda will provide a link to the public testimony registration tab of the committee web page. There you will find a link to register to testify.  

During a committee meeting

Be on time. Meeting agendas will list the physical location of the meeting within the capitol.

The Chairman will announce when a specific bill is coming up for discussion. The bill sponsor will be the first person to speak.  Once that person is done the Chairman will open the floor to public testimony and will call on members of the public.  Often times the Chairman will alternate between a proponent and an opponent of a bill.

All testimony and all committee discussion must be addressed through the Chairman.

Begin your testimony by addressing the Chairman and committee members. State your name, address, and why you are there.  For example: “Mr. (or Madam) Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Pat Q. Public, I’m from Emmett.  I am/am not in favor of this bill because…”

Be courteous and brief in your language and address. Try not to repeat testimony offered by previous testifiers.  Be prepared to answer questions.  Respond to questions as best you can.  You need not be embarrassed if you do not have a specific answer.

Do not be nervous – there is no right or wrong way to testify. The Idaho legislature is made up of your friends, neighbors, and community members who have been elected to represent you.  They want to hear what you have to say.

Demonstrations, applause, clapping, and signage are prohibited during a committee meeting. You may be asked to leave by the committee Chairman if you participate in disruptive activities.

Legislators on the committee may enter and exit throughout the meeting as they fulfill other commitments, do not be offended if a member leaves when you are speaking.

Remember

Legislators want to hear from you. Your input is important to them and they appreciate your interest in Idaho’s legislative process.

This information has been provided by:

Office of the Secretary of the Senate
Idaho State Senate
(208) 332-1309

Office of the Chief Clerk
Idaho House of Representatives
(208) 332-1140

Office of Legislative Services
Idaho State Legislature
(208) 334-2475

Remote Testimony Meeting Protocols

 
Those wishing to testify remotely must use the registration form and be a resident in the State of Idaho. The committee chair may limit the amount of time allotted for each individual’s testimony as well as the time allotted for the testimony during the committee meeting. The chair will, however, make reasonable efforts to give individuals testifying remotely the same amount of time allotted to individuals testifying in-person.

Registering to testify does not constitute a guarantee that registrants will be permitted to testify if the committee chair determines that public testimony must be limited. The chair will, however, make reasonable efforts to provide equal opportunities for in-person and remote testimony, and remote testimony will be given the same weight as in-person testimony.

Registrants may not be able to testify if there are technical issues preventing communication between their remote location and the Statehouse. Due to this possibility, written testimony is recommended at the time of registration.

AT ALL TIMES, registrants and visitors are required to maintain proper committee protocols. Registrants who choose not to follow the rules for public testimony established by the committee chair will forfeit their opportunity to testify.

Committee meetings can often be delayed or rescheduled and there is no guarantee an item will be heard when originally scheduled. The committee chair will strive to prevent these circumstances; however, there are often situations beyond the chair’s control.

Demonstrations, applause, clapping, and signage are prohibited during a committee meeting. You may be asked to leave by the committee chairman if you participate in disruptive activities.

ASL interpreters are available via Zoom for assistance if needed, for scheduling please contact the Legislative Information Center by phone or email.
Local#: 208-332-1000,  Toll Free#: 800-626-0471,  Deaf and hard of hearing#: 800-626-0471.  Email: idleginfo@lso.idaho.gov.  Please note 24 hours’ notice is required and is subject to availability via the contracted interpreter service.

For more information on testifying before a Legislative Committee and committee protocols – https://legislature.idaho.gov/resources/committeetestimony/

In Person Testimony

 
ASL interpreters are available when needed, please contact our Legislative Information Center to schedule. (24 hours’ notice is required to secure an interpreter and is subject to availability via the contracted interpreter service).

If a member of the public requires assistance navigating the building, or requires help with assistive technology aids while testifying in committee, staff located in the Legislative Information Center are available to help.

More information on testifying before a Legislative Committee and committee protocols can be found at the following link:
https://legislature.idaho.gov/resources/committeetestimony/

Other Available Assistance

 
Closed captioning is available, through a partnership with Idaho Public Television (“IPTV”). The Legislative Services Office provides a live stream of all Standing Committee meetings and Chamber sessions of the House and the Senate.  All of the streaming services and television broadcasts of the Legislative Session provide for closed captioning. Calendars for Chamber Sessions and Agendas for Committee Meetings can be found at the following link:
https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/Legislature/

Written testimony is an alternative to in-person and remote testimony, please email your written testimony to the committee secretary. Committee secretary email addresses are available on the committee webpage at the following links:
Senate Committees – https://legislature.idaho.gov/committees/senatecommittees/
House Committees – https://legislature.idaho.gov/committees/housecommittees/

• Accessible seating will be made available upon request at the committee room. Please make the request to security personnel or the committee page.
• A wheelchair and electric scooter are available for public use and can be reserved at the Legislative Information Center.
• Assisted Listening Devices are available at Capitol security stations located throughout the Capitol.
• Screen readers and other adaptive technology are compatible with the Idaho Legislature’s website.

Legislative Information Center Contact:

E-mail: idleginfo@lso.idaho.gov

Phone Numbers: