1. Understand the Purpose and Audience
- Know your audience: Remember that legislators and their staff may not be experts on the subject, so provide clear, accessible information. Your goal is to make your point persuasively while staying concise.
- Clarify your objective: Are you supporting or opposing a bill? Are you providing factual information or sharing personal experiences? Identify your key message early.
2. Start with a Strong Introduction
- State your name and position: Begin by introducing yourself and any relevant affiliations (e.g., CTAA, your company, any other affiliations).
- State your purpose: Clearly articulate the purpose of your testimony, including whether you support or oppose the legislation, and why.
3. Provide a Clear, Structured Argument
- Present the issue: Briefly describe the issue at hand and its significance. Make sure to define any technical terms that might not be familiar to the audience.
- Present evidence: Use facts, data, and research to support your argument. Be specific and use credible sources. If applicable, include personal anecdotes to illustrate the real-world impact of the legislation.
- Explain the impact: Discuss how the legislation will impact individuals, communities, or businesses—both positively and negatively.
4. Be Concise and Focused
- Stick to key points: Legislative testimony is often limited in time, so keep your testimony focused on 2-3 key points. Avoid getting too bogged down in unnecessary details.
- Respect time limits: There will be a 3 minute time limit for your testimony, practice beforehand to make sure you can deliver it within the given time frame.
5. Use a Logical Structure
- Introduction: Who you are and the purpose of your testimony.
- Main Body: Present your arguments in a logical order. Each point should build on the previous one.
- Conclusion: Summarize your key points and include a clear call to action, such as asking legislators to vote a certain way, amend the bill, or consider further investigation into an issue.
6. Anticipate Counterarguments
- Be prepared for opposition: Think about potential arguments that might be made against your position and address them within your testimony. This will show you have considered both sides of the issue.
- Stay calm and respectful: If your testimony is in response to a specific bill, be sure to keep your tone respectful, even if you disagree with the bill's provisions.
7. Use Personal Stories (If Applicable)
- Humanize your message: Personal stories or case studies can make your argument more relatable and compelling. Share how the issue has personally affected you or people in your community.
- Keep it relevant: Ensure that any personal stories tie directly to the policy issue and support your position.
8. Be Specific and Solution-Oriented
- Propose alternatives or solutions: If you're opposed to a bill or certain provisions, propose alternatives or amendments. Provide concrete suggestions that can improve the legislation.
- Offer actionable advice: Legislators often prefer testimony that helps them understand how they can act—offer them a clear course of action or recommendation.
9. Use Clear, Professional Language
- Avoid jargon: While some technical language may be necessary depending on the subject, aim for clarity. Avoid using excessive jargon or overly complex terms unless absolutely necessary.
- Stay professional: Keep your tone formal and respectful, and avoid being emotional or confrontational. Legislative environments require professionalism, even when expressing disagreement.
10. Edit and Revise
- Proofread for clarity and conciseness: After drafting your testimony, read it over and revise it for clarity, brevity, and impact.
- Seek feedback: If possible, have others review your testimony to ensure it is clear, persuasive, and free of errors.
11. Follow Submission Guidelines
- Check for format and length restrictions: Ensure your testimony complies with any formatting or length requirements set by the legislative body. Some committees may request written testimony in advance, while others may only accept in-person or virtual submissions.
- Submit on time: Ensure that your testimony is submitted in time for it to be considered during the hearing.
By following these steps, you can craft a well-organized and compelling legislative testimony that effectively communicates your position on an important issue. As always, members of CTAA's Government Relations Committee are available to read over your testimony and provide feedback.