Public Hearing Guide

How can a member of the public participate in a public hearing?

In Person

A member of the public may give their testimony in person at either the State House or the Cross Office Building.

  1. Print 20 copies of your testimony and bring them with you.
    • If you cannot print 20 copies of your testimony, then the Law and Legislative Reference Library can make copies.
      • The library is located on the second floor of the State House.
  2. Go to https://mainelegislature.org/Calendar/#Weekly/ to check for the location and time of the public hearing.
    • a. “SH” is the State House; “Cross” is the Cross Office Building.”
  3. Go to either the State House or the Cross Office Building, and proceed to the committee room.
    • Fill out the sign-up sheet inside the committee room.
    • If you cannot find the sign-up sheet, ask the committee clerk for help.
  4. OPTIONAL: Go to https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/ to submit your typed, written testimony online.
    • If you testify in person, you must provide 20 printed copies.
    • If you testify in person, you do not need to upload testimony online.
    • For more detailed instructions on how to submit testimony online, please see below.

Written Testimony

A member of the public may upload a file or enter text into the Legislature’s online testimony submission portal.

  1. Go to https://mainelegislature.org/Calendar/#Weekly/ to check the date and time of the public hearing.
  2. Go to https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/.
  3. Select “Public Hearing.”
  4. Choose the committee.
  5. Choose the correct date and time.
  6. Choose the bill that you wish to testify on.
  7. Click “Choose File” and upload an electronic version of your testimony.
    • You can upload only a PDF (.pdf), Word (.doc or .docx), or Plain Text (.txt) file.
    • If you do not have a file to upload, you can copy and paste or type your testimony into the box in the center of the screen.
  8. Complete the form by entering:
    • Your first and last name;
    • Your city or town of residence;
    •  Or the organization that you represent;
    •  Your email address;
    •  And your phone number.
  9. Click the box next to “I’m not a robot.”
  10. Click “Submit/Register.”
    • If you want to testify on multiple bills, then you will need to repeat all steps to fill out and submit this online sign-up form for each bill that you are testifying on.
    • If the multiple bills are at the same time on the same day before the same committee, you will still need to fill out and submit this written testimony submission form for each bill that you providing testimony for.
  11. Check your email inbox for a confirmation email that you have successfully uploaded or entered your written testimony.

Zoom / Telephone

A member of the public may give their testimony via Zoom or by telephone. This “hybrid” option is available for all legislative committees.

  1. Go to https://mainelegislature.org/Calendar/#Weekly/ to check the date and time of the public hearing.
  2. Go to https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/.
  3. Select “Public Hearing.”
  4. Choose the committee.
  5. Choose the correct date and time.
  6. Choose the bill that you wish to testify on.
  7. Click the box next to “I would like to testify electronically over Zoom.”
  8. Select your position on the bill:
    • “I am for…”
    • “I am against…”
    • “I am neither for nor against…”
      • You must pick a position.
  9. Click “Choose File” and upload an electronic version of your testimony.
    • You can upload only a PDF (.pdf), Word (.doc or .docx), or Plain Text (.txt) file.
    • If you do not have a file to upload, you can copy and paste or type your testimony into the box in the center of the screen.
    • If you testify via Zoom or by telephone, you do not have to upload written testimony.
  10. Complete the form by entering:
    • Your first and last name;
    • Your city or town of residence;
    • Or the organization that you represent;
    • Your email address;
    • And your phone number.
  11. Click the box next to “I’m not a robot.”
  12. Click “Submit/Register.”
    • If you want to testify on multiple bills, then you will need to repeat all steps to fill out and submit this online sign-up form for each bill that you are testifying on.
    • If the multiple bills are at the same time on the same day before the same committee, you will still need to fill out and submit this online sign-up form for each bill that you are testifying on.
  13. Check your email inbox for a confirmation email with the instructions for how to join the Zoom on your computer or call into the public hearing.