Committee Rules & Etiquette

• The Committee Chair is King/Queen: The committee chair has all the power within the committee. They can decide who is allowed to speak, for how long, etc. They also manage the committee room and can have folks arrested if they deem an issue necessary.

• While sitting in the committee room, you should remain quiet. No clapping, snapping, or laughing is allowed, especially when dealing with controversial bills. On your first offense, you’ll often get a warning from the committee chair, but you could be removed if the committee chair considers the issue to persist.

• To Testify: You’ll need to complete a green card in support or a red card opposing the bill. These cards are found in committee rooms, usually near the front of the testimony desk. Feel free to grab them as needed. On this card, you’ll put the committee name and the meeting date. Then, you’ll denote whether you’d like to speak (you don’t have to), add your personal information, and sign it. The “Representing” section can show you represent an organization (get their permission first) or simply “self.”
  You’ll then turn this card in to the Sergeant at Arms, who often walks around the rooms collecting cards. On especially controversial days, an organizer may collect cards to ensure testimony is curated effectively.

• Testimony is presented in the following order: The bill sponsor will present their opening; supporters of the bill will be allowed to speak; opposition to the bill will be allowed to speak; then the bill sponsor will present closing arguments; then the committee will vote. During this period, committee members can ask anyone who testifies questions. Refer to “How to answer difficult questions” under testimony guidance.

• Note about these rules: These rules are not of our creation. We’re just communicating the rules and etiquette of the Capitol building. Breaking some of these rules could result in you being removed from a committee room, not being allowed to testify, or even arrested. It could also result in everyone in the committee room being asked to leave.

• Talking in committee rooms is only allowed when whispering with someone directly near you. If you’re not a great whisperer, maybe text folks instead.

• Water bottles are allowed if they seal. Cups (for example, coffee cups) aren’t allowed if they cannot completely seal.

• Phone and laptop usage is allowed, though you’re asked to keep your devices silent. If you have a phone call, you’ll need to take it outside the committee room.

• Moving in and out of the committee room is acceptable. Feel free to take a break in the hallway, go to the bathroom, etc. It’s usually okay for your seat to be saved for short periods, but sometimes they’ll crack down on saving seats (generally more on the Senate side.)

• Committee members will be moving in and out of the room. There’s a TV in the back room so that they can listen, but they’re often needed in other committees to vote or present their bills. Try not to let this distract you.

• Committee agendas are generally listed in numerical order and not the order in which bills are presented. Sometimes, we’ll know what order bills will be heard; sometimes, it’s a guessing game.

Testimony Guidance

• Be respectful. We understand things can feel personal, but ultimately, you’re trying to persuade the committee to vote in your favor. Offending them or attacking them will not help you achieve that goal.

• Address members formally (e.g., Chairman/woman LASTNAME, Representative LASTNAME, Senator LASTNAME).

• When beginning your testimony, state your name, city or parish, and any other affiliation for the record, even if you’ve already been introduced or called upon by name.

• Clearly state whether you support or oppose the bill and explain your reasoning within the allotted time (often 2-3 minutes for controversial bills).

• Tell your own story in your own words with conviction and passion. You are not expected to be a policy expert — just an expert on your experience. Include details about how you felt and how this issue impacted your life.

• You’re welcome to read testimony or notes you’ve written. Members realize that the process may be intimidating; they do not expect perfection.

• Use discretion on what personal information to include. Verbal testimony and written materials are public records available to the public on the Internet.

• Thank the committee members at the end.

• How to answer difficult questions: Pivoting is a critical way to turn the conversation back to your core message. It’s perfectly acceptable to say politely, for instance, “This is about trans and queer people’s right to exist and have access to quality care – something that everyone deserves.”

• Testifying as a group: Select a few people to cover different topics so the testimony is not repetitive. Address the problem, possible solutions, and your group’s solution.

• A special advocacy note: Because of how the legislative process works, we may be forced to “call” a vote/cut the hearing short before you can deliver your testimony. To be clear, if that happens, it’s not because we don’t value your story. It’s because, at that moment, we’ve secured the necessary votes to pass/defeat the legislation, and we can’t waste that opportunity in case lawmakers change their minds (and they often do). This is only done with a high level of certainty. But if this happens, we’ll do our best to consider future story-sharing opportunities for you.

LocALL is the Legislative Organizing Coalition for All LGBTQ+ Louisianans. We are a coalition of organizations and advocates unified with the mission of protecting and empowering LGBTQ+ individuals and communities across the state.