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Ohio HOUSE Committee Testimony

In Ohio, you have the right to testify or submit written-only testimony on bills in Statehouse committees.  

(In-person testimony is preferred if possible)

Has an Ohio HOUSE committee scheduled a hearing on a bill you care about? Follow this process:

HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY (in-person OR written-only):

1.) Make sure the committee is accepting the type of testimony you want to submit.

  • Types of testimony:
  • Proponent (supporter)
  • Opponent
  • Interested Party (You have concerns about pieces of the bill but don’t want to support or oppose it yet)
  • If they aren’t accepting your type of testimony at this hearing, they likely will at the next one!

2.) Write your testimony

3.) Upload your testimony to the Committee website — whether you’re testifying in-person or not.

  • Upload it at least 24 hours before the committee start time
  • EXAMPLE: If the testimony starts at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, upload your testimony by 3:00 pm on TUESDAY
  • Make sure to fill out all the questions provided when you upload your testimony
  • This replaces the “witness slip” previously used by Statehouse committees

3.5) HOW TO UPLOAD your testimony to the Committee website

(If you’re submitting written-only testimony, that’s it! You’re done! You officially testified written-only. If you’re testifying in-person, see below.)

4.) Arrive at the Statehouse before the committee is scheduled to begin.

  • Parking recommendations:
  • Located underneath the Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, 43215
  • 191 S. Third Street
  • 55 E. Rich Street & 56 E. Main Street
  • NOTE: You’ll need to go through a metal detector when you arrive at the Statehouse.
  • You’ll put your bags, purse, phone, keys, and other items through a metal detector (similar to the airport but not as intense)
  • You will personally pass through a metal detector as well
  • Worried about getting lost in the Statehouse? You can ask the security guards/state troopers at the metal detector to direct you to the committee room
  • NOTE: Signs ARE permitted inside the Statehouse, but they are not permitted in the committee room

5.) Bring a printed copy of your testimony with you to read in front of the committee

  • You do not have to read your testimony word for word! Many people don’t!)

6.) You may also want to bring copies to hand to reporters — you can contact reporters ahead of time to let them know you (and your group) will be testifying!

7.) AFTER YOU’RE FINISHED SPEAKING: 

  • Legislators may ask you questions. They are more likely to ask questions if you provide data/statistics or present yourself as having professional experience related to the bill. This can be awesome! But be prepared to back up your testimony!
  • After each question, try to start your response with the words, “Through the Chair, to the Representative…”

AFTER THE COMMITTEE:

After the committee is over, we also recommend taking some additional steps to increase the impact of your testimony:

  • Contact the committee members (be polite!), remind them about your testimony, and offer to meet/speak with them to discuss the issue further.
  • Check out the tabs to find contact info for the committee where you testified
  • Find your testimony on the Ohio legislature website, and share it on social media!
  • All written and in-person testimonies are posted online and shareable
  • Create a video clip of yourself testifying, and share it on social media!

TESTIMONY TEMPLATE:

Chair _________, Vice Chair ________, Ranking Member ________, and members of the _________Committee,

Thank you for allowing me to testify today. My name is ________. I am [basic bio about who you are]. I am strongly opposed to (or I strongly support) [Bill Number].

[Then tell them why! Make it short and sweet -  a few paragraphs is perfect. Tell a personal story. Or explain why your job experience gives you this perspective on the bill. Maybe cite some statistics or case studies to back up your claims]

I ask you to consider my testimony and vote [NO/YES] on this [harmful/dangerous/important/life-saving/etc.] bill. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.

[If you’re testifying in-person] I will now take any questions you may have.