By: Miriam Edelman
Individuals and representatives of organizations can attend and testify at D.C. Council’s hearings and roundtables. The 13-member D.C. Council is D.C. government’s legislative branch. It consists of one at-large Chair, four additional at-large representatives, and eight ward representatives (one from each of the eight wards).
A D.C. Council committee schedules a public hearing or roundtable. Then, the D.C. Register publishes notices of proceedings. An individual can sign up to testify by contacting the hearing’s/roundtable’s committee by the deadline specified in hearing and roundtable notices. Each person who complies with the committee’s requirements will be able to testify. If a person does not comply, he/she cannot testify unless that event’s committee chair allows that person to testify. A witness can sometimes submit his/her testimony soon before the hearing.
Witnesses should bring written testimony or provide it to the committee prior to the hearing or roundtable. They should bring at least thirteen (13) copies for circulation to the Members (or perhaps fewer since most D.C. Council committees have fewer than 13 members). If people do not bring written testimony, they might still be able to testify. The Committee Chair will call a witness’ name when it is the witness’ turn to testify. Witnesses can tailor what they say based on what was said earlier during the hearing or roundtable.
Witnesses typically can testify for up to three minutes. They begin by addressing the Chair and Committee members. Then, after stating their names and whether they testify on behalf of a group or organization, they discuss the reason why they are there. The following is an example of the start of a testimony: “Chairperson and members of the committee, my name is Joan D. Public from the House of Ideas, Inc. I’m in favor of the bill because…”
A variety of information can be included in testimony. People can discuss:
- Their experience in D.C. (i.e. – Native Washingtonian, live in ward three)
- Relevant personal experience (i.e. – I went to D.C. public schools for 14 years, I was a victim of bullying at school – for a hearing on bullying in schools) – This experience can humanize a public policy issue and make a difference.
- Statistics/information (i.e. – Each year, a certain number of people are bullied in D.C. public schools.) – This information can show how prevalent a problem is.
- Policy recommendations (what you would like the D.C. Council to do; talk about what happens in similarly-sized cities, if relevant)
Sometimes, witnesses have two versions of their testimony: written (longer) and oral (shorter). Often, witnesses use a short version when giving their oral testimony and submit a more comprehensive written statement for the record. Witnesses can create their oral version from their longer version.
Often, D.C. Council Members do not ask many questions of public witnesses. Sometimes, questions are not asked at all. If witnesses are asked a question that they do not feel comfortable answering and/or do not know the answer, they can tell the Councilmember(s) that they will find out the information and follow up after the hearing.
People can prepare to testify by doing the following:
- Write their testimony.
- Read their testimony (perhaps multiple times) to ensure that they do not go over the time-limit. Family and friends can provide tips on delivery of the testimony.
- Prepare for potential questions that Councilmembers might ask.
In the future, DCNOW will hold testimony-writing workshops, which DCNOW leader Miriam Edelman will lead. Come to session, learn how to write testimony, and practice drafting your own testimony. D.C. residents can make a difference in D.C. on DCNOW’s policy priorities, including child care, ending child marriage, pelvic exams, and ranked-choice voting.
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