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Ohio SB 1 Testimony Template

Ohio Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) would devastate Ohio’s public colleges and universities.

This bill would heavily restrict the teaching of “controversial” subjects, ban most diversity policies and programs, place entire departments, majors, and courses at risk, gut workers’ rights, ban tenure...and more.

SB 1 would cost us students, professors, tuition dollars, and countless jobs.

SB 1 has another public testimony hearing on Tuesday 3/11/25

  • WHEN: 9:00 am
  • WHERE: Ohio Statehouse – Room 017 
  • You have the right to testify in this bill (in-person or written-only)

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

1.) Write your testimony

2.) You also need to fill out a witness slip. Complete one of these witness slips, and email it along with your testimony:

3.) Email your testimony AND your witness slip to OHRWorkforceAndHigherEducationCommittee@ohiohouse.gov — even if you plan to testify in-person!

  • Send testimony + witness slip as 2 separate pdfs (But you can send them in the same email)
  • Testimony is due by 9:00 am on Monday 3/10/25

4.) BONUS – Share your testimony online! You could even turn it into a graphic or a short video. Spread the word about this dangerous bill

(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)

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

  • Park in the basement garage underneath the Statehouse
  • If the Statehouse garage is full, go to the Columbus Commons Parking Garage.
  • If you exit the Columbus Commons Garage on the State Street / Ohio Theatre side, you will emerge near the Statehouse

  • You’ll need to go through a metal detector when you arrive.
  • You can ask the security guards / troopers to direct you to the North Hearing Room

  • NOTE – If a large number of people want to attend the hearing, they will likely open an overflow room and direct you to it when you arrive at the North Hearing Room.
  • There will be a TV in the overflow room so you can see and hear what's happening in the main committee room.

6.) Bring a printed copy of your testimony with you to read in front of the committee (You do not need to read your testimony word for word).

7.) 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!

8.) Testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person

9.) There are rumors that they may try to cut testimony off early, before most people have a chance to testify. If this occurs, many Ohioans will choose to get loud. Protest. Offer interviews to the press. Etc. This can be a great way to increase public awareness about the bill!

10.) Social media is your friend! Take photos, Record videos, post everything to social media and show the world what’s happening at the Ohio Statehouse. It’s harder for them to try and intimidate you if they know cameras are rolling.

TESTIMONY TEMPLATE:

Chair Young, Vice Chair Ritter, Ranking Member Piccolantonio, and members of the House Workforce & Higher Education 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 SB 1 and its companion bill HB 6.

[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 on this [harmful/extremist/discriminatory/destructive/etc] bill.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.

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

AFTER YOU ARE 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 “Chair, Senator…” (But it’s ok if you forget!)