Looking for a More Active Role in Government?
An Introduction on How to Testify at Public Hearings

By State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus

Since session in the General Assembly convened on February 4, the legislature's 24 standing committees have been meeting at a hectic pace to discuss bills in preparation for public hearings. I am working hard to keep up with the many bills before us in what is shaping up to be a historic session. I wanted to take a moment to share with you some information about public hearings, an important part of the democratic process.

Committees are the information and fact-finding part of the legislative process and where a great deal of policy debate is held. Public hearings allow Connecticut residents to weigh in with their views on a bill before a committee vote is held. These hearings are open to anyone - legislators, constitutional officers, commissioners and the general public - and are usually held on weekdays in the morning or afternoon. Committee members draw from information raised at hearings to make more informed decisions, gauge public opinion on issues, and glean personalized information from constituents and the public on the expected impact of a bill.

Before testifying, the first step is to find out about upcoming public hearings. Daily bulletins are available at the Legislative Office Building (LOB), which is located at 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, on the Capitol Concourse Level. As a rule, bulletins announce meeting times and locations at least five days prior to a public hearing. If you'd prefer to read up on upcoming hearings from home, daily bulletins are available on the General Assembly website, www.cga.ct.gov.

Now that you've chosen a public hearing to attend, it is recommended to arrive early, to make sure you reserve your spot to testify. Sign-up sheets for testifying are usually posted an hour before the designated start of the hearing and slots are filled on a first-come first-serve basis. It is important to have written copies of your testimony on-hand to distribute to committee members, the press, and others present. Procedures vary by committee, so it is helpful to consult the bulletin for specific information.

Many are nervous before their first time testifying but you might be relieved to note that the first hour of public hearings is usually reserved for legislators and other government officials. That way, you’ll have some time to observe others testifying and learn from their presentations before it is your turn.

Connecticut Network (CT-N), the television channel that covers state government, is an excellent resource for public hearings. It is the C-SPAN of state government. To find out on which channel CT-N is featured in your area, visit its comprehensive website (www.ctn.state.ct.us) or call 246-1553. On the website you will find detailed listings for upcoming televised public hearings and streaming video of live meetings.

For more information on testifying at public hearings, please use my office as a resource; the phone number is 240-8500. Jason Knight, my legislative assistant, will gladly help you look up bill numbers and more detailed information on public hearings. Please let me know in advance if you are coming and I will try to attend with you.

I encourage everyone to take a more active role in state government and voice your opinion at public hearings. Your unique input can truly make a difference in our local community and our state.

Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is currently serving her fifth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. In addition to her duties as Assistant Majority Leader and Chair of General Bonding Subcommittee, Betty serves on the Finance, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committees.