GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING WRITTEN TESTIMONY

TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

FOR THE STATE OF MAINE FOR A HEARING

Any written testimony outside of these guidelines will probably not be counted. There are three manners of submittal: email, hard-copy, and petition format.

Remember, you can only testify ONCE on each bill, in one manner. But, you can copy that testimony to any politician (including the Governor) as a statement of your concerns. Just include a cover letter stating, “Please view this copy of my testimony to the Judiciary Committee, on the bill LD___, as a statement of my concerns.”

It is best to keep your testimony to one page and to be as brief as possible while still adequately stating your case.

Individual Written Testimony - Email Submittal:

Email written testimony may be sent to . However, it may not deliver the impact of other means of submittal. Susanmay forward email testimony to all members of the committee and put one hard copy in the “Master File.” However, there may not be copies of that testimony included in each committee member’s file at the time of hearing discussion or further work sessions.

Individual Written Testimony - Hardcopy Submittal:

Type your testimony (one page preferred). Make 20 copies. Mail to: Committee on Judiciary, c/o Legislative Information, 100 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333, (207) 287- 1327. For greatest impact, try to send copies of your testimonyin time to reach the clerk no later than the day before the scheduled hearing.

You can then email copies of your testimony to any other legislators, as desired, when asking them to support the bill. Or send them hard copies as well.

Petition Format for Written Testimony – Multiple-Signature Format –

Hardcopy Submittal:

In “Petition Format,” type the testimony on the first page. Then “brief” it as a headline on the top of the following numbered pages – and get as many signatures as possible, under the headings Names, Signatures, Addresses on a clean, clear form. Make 20 copies of all pages and send to Susan; keep the original. Anyone who signs can send the first page of testimony to their local politicians, with a cover letter stating that this is the petition they signed, to share their concerns. Always give a copy of the first page of testimony to anyone who signs. This multiple testimony is very effective. For example, 40 signatures for one petition page counts as 40 testimonies.

Remember: You must submit separate testimony for EACH BILL, complete with 20 copies (unless it is the email submittal) in order to be included in the hearing files. This is why the “petition” testimony is so handy.

Written testimony is a powerful tool that counts.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ORAL AND WRITTEN TESTIMONY

TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AT A HEARING

At the hearing each speaker may have no more than three minutes, so it’s best to come prepared with a shortened version of your written testimony or notes to speak from. (Three minutes goes by much faster than you think; it’s a good idea to do a timed practice reading at home so you can pare it down if needed. Less is more.)

  • Your opening greeting should be to both the Senate and House Chairs of thecommittee by name (e.g., Senator Burns and Representative Hobbins), then “Members of the Judiciary Committee.”
  • The first sentence should be “Thank you for the opportunity to address the Committee.”Or something similar.
  • The second sentence should state your name and town.
  • The third sentence should clearly state whether you are in favor of or opposed to the specific bill. “I support LD__ because…” Then give your specific points as briefly as possible.
  • Your last sentence should again thank them for their consideration and respectfully ask their support of LD ___.
  • Provide 20 copies of your written testimony to the Judiciary Committee Clerk before you testify.Try to get to Room 438 earlyand give your copies to the clerk, who may put them in the committee members’ folders at their desks. If unable to do this, you can present your copies to the clerk just before the hearing begins or when you step up to the podium.