|
Sample Testimony
We recommend the introduction and closing
as a general rule. We can help you develop your testimony.
- Greet the Chairperson and thank the committee for allowing
you to testify.
- Tell them your name, your organization, or where you
live.
- Tell them which bill you are testifying on, and whether
you support or oppose the bill.
- Share your story and tell them how this bill could make
a difference.
- Tell them your reasons for supporting or opposing the
bill.
- End with thanking them again for the opportunity to
testify and wait for questions.
Length of Testimony:
Your testimony should be brief. We recommend that it be
within 3-5 minutes.
For Questions or More Information: Please
call 463-5368.
Directions to State
House:
From the South - Take 95 North to the State Offices
Exit. Bear right on the exit, then go straight through the
light. At the next light, turn right onto Smith Street and
the State House will be on your left.
From the North — Take 95 South to the State
Offices Exit. Turn right (this is a one-way) onto Charles
St. then an immediate left after the liquor store to go
the opposite way. Follow past the Marriott, then turn right
onto Orms Street at the light. Turn left at the next light,
right at the next, and the State House will be on your left.
Transportation:
Rides: Please let us know in advance
if you need a ride. We will make arrangements with you.
Bus Route: Bus # 57 (Smith Street),
Bus # 56 (Chalkstone Avenue) and the Gold Line Trolley stop
at the State House after leaving Kennedy Plaza. For more
information, please call RIPTA at 781-9400.
Parking: There is street parking around
the State House. Some spots have meters, which run 25 cents
for a half-hour or twenty minutes. After 4:30 p.m., there
is free parking in the Department of Motor Vehicles parking
lot across the street from the State House.
Child Care: Due to the sometimes long
waiting time and overall non-child friendly environment,
we do not recommend that you bring your children. We can
assist you by providing a stipend for childcare expenses
if it is necessary. Please let us know.
Bathrooms: There are bathrooms on each
level.
Food & Telephones: In the basement
level there is a snack shop, soda & candy vending machines
and a payphone. The snack shop closes early. We will provide
food after two-three hours of waiting.
Special Accommodations:
Language Interpreters: We will provide interpreters
at hearings if a consumer feels more comfortable testifying
in his or her native language.
Handicapped Accessibility: The best entrance is the
side entrance off Smith Street. Look for the guard booth at
the parking lot entrance. Handicapped parking spots are available
both in the parking lot and on Smith Street.
How to Dress: Casual business attire is recommended.
The most important thing is just to be neat and clean.
Hearing Waiting Times : The General Assembly begins
its session at 4:00PM. Most hearings begin once the daily
session ends. Session ending times vary from day to day depending
on the calendar. It could be as early as 4:30 p.m., but can
sometimes last longer. Each committee provides a list of the
legislation that will be heard. You may be there for 2-3 hours.
We will let you know as much as we can about when the hearing
will begin. Feel free to bring something to read, or work
to do.
Hearing Rooms: Please see front cover for more information
on the hearing rooms.
(Congratulations on choosing
to exercise your civic duty!) |
