Three Things to Know Before You Testify at the Texas Capitol
You don't have to be a lobbyist or policy expert to have something valuable to say in Austin. Sometimes the most important perspective a legislator can hear comes from someone who has experienced the issue firsthand.
Public committee hearings are part of the Texas legislative process, and committees may receive testimony while considering legislation.
If an animal welfare bill matters to you, your experience can help lawmakers understand why.
Here are three things to remember before you speak.
1. Know the bill, but tell the human story
You should understand the basic purpose of the legislation you are supporting or opposing.
But you do not need to recite the bill.
Your greatest value may be explaining what the issue actually looks like in Dallas or elsewhere in Texas.
Maybe you volunteer at a shelter.
Maybe you work in veterinary medicine.
Maybe you foster animals.
Maybe you witnessed cruelty or neglect and discovered that existing law did not provide the solution you expected.
Explain what happened, why it matters and what you want lawmakers to understand.
Legislation can be technical.
Your job is to help make its consequences real.
2. Be clear about what you’re asking lawmakers to do
A compelling story is more useful when it leads to a clear request.
Tell the committee which bill you are addressing and whether you are asking members to support it, oppose it or consider a particular change.
Keep your comments focused on the legislation.
You do not need to explain every aspect of animal welfare in Texas. Concentrate on the issue in front of the committee and the perspective you can uniquely provide.
3. Keep it respectful, concise and grounded in experience
Legislative hearings can involve people with strongly different views.
That is part of the process.
Effective testimony does not require attacking people who disagree with you.
Focus on animals, evidence, experience and the policy being considered.
Speak plainly.
Avoid exaggeration.
And remember that lawmakers may be hearing testimony on many bills during a long committee meeting.
A short, specific statement can be more powerful than a long speech.
Dallas is represented in Austin by people who show up
Texas laws affect communities throughout the state, but lawmakers cannot understand every consequence of those laws without hearing from Texans themselves.
That makes participation important.
You can follow legislation, committee meetings, calendars and votes through Texas Legislature Online. The site also provides tools for identifying your state representative and senator.
When animal welfare legislation reaches Austin, Lone Star Humane Association’s role is not simply to have an opinion.
Our role is to help Texans understand what is happening, why it matters and how their voices can make a difference.