This Saturday, July 10th, the Texas Legislature will be hearing anti-voter legislation in committee. The Senate Committee on State Affairs will hear Senate Bill 1 in the Capitol Extension Auditorium (E1.004) at 11:00am. The House Select Committee on Constitutional Rights and Remedies will hear House Bill 3 in E1.030 at 8:00am. Read the guide below to learn how to testify against these bills. Thank you to MOVE Texas for their assistance in creating this report.
Be Prepared
- The more, the merrier! The more people who show up to demonstrate against these bills, the stronger message we send that we are going to fight tooth and nail for our democracy. While that can make testimony take a long time, it sends a clear message.
- This may be a very long day. While committee hearings have a specific start time, each committee will hear multiple bills and we cannot be sure in what order they will hear them or in what order citizen testimony will be heard. The committees may break for indefinite periods of time if the full chamber is meeting that day. So while you show up and register to testify early in the morning, you may not be called to testify until late afternoon or into the night.
- What to wear/bring: Dress in business casual attire and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Bring a light jacket as sometimes the committee rooms can be quite cold! There is a gift shop open on the weekends, but we recommend bringing snacks and water as well.
- Logistical Support: Organizers will be in the vicinity of the hearing rooms with signs to help you find us for support.
Getting to the Capitol
PARKING:
- Aim to arrive about 45 minutes to an hour before the hearing begins.
- Park at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (1201 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701)
- The parking fee is $12 for the full day M-F and FREE on the weekends
- The garage is open 7am – 6:30pm
ACCESSING THE BUILDING:
- Use the North or South entrances to the Capitol; the Capitol building will open at 7:00 am.
- Proceed through security. This may take another 15 minutes or so.
- The hearing rooms are in the Capitol Extension, which can be accessed by taking the North elevators down to “E1.”
Testifying in the House Committee Hearing
House Committee on Constitutional Rights & Remedies, Select
Saturday, July 10, 2021; 8:00 AM; E1.030
- Once you enter the Capitol, register to testify (note: these instructions apply only to the House Committee hearing): Follow this link on your personal device or access a Capitol kiosk to register to testify for a specific bill.
- Note: You may only register from a personal device if you are connected to the Capitol Public WiFi inside the Capitol, Capitol extension or John H. Reagan Building.
- Skip any bill on the agenda you do not wish to take a position on. You’ll register in opposition to HB 3 and indicate if you will speak or not.
- Be sure to see the final screen that states you are registered before exiting the program.
- Wait: The designated room for the House Committee hearing is E1.030. Wait inside the committee room, in a designated overflow room, or in the hallway. Be prepared to testify when the committee chair calls you to the podium to speak.
- Testify: Begin your testimony by stating your name, who you represent if you speak for an organization or yourself if not) and your position on the bill (in favor, opposed or neutral). You’ll have three minutes. Suggested talking points can be found here.
Testifying in the Senate Committee Hearing
Senate Committee on State Affairs
Saturday, July 10, 2021; 11:00 AM; Capitol Extension Auditorium, E1.004
- The Senate kiosks are located outside of the Auditorium; NOTE: the Senate has their own kiosks. If testifying against both HB 3 and SB 1, you will need to registered on the House system and on the Senate system
- Skip any bill on the agenda you do not wish to take a position on. You’ll register in opposition to SB 1 and indicate if you will speak or not.
- Be sure to see the final screen that states you are registered before exiting the program.
- Wait: The designated room for the Senate Committee hearing is E1.004, the Capitol Extension Auditorium. Wait inside the Auditorium, in a designated overflow room or in the hallway. Be prepared to testify when the committee chair calls you to the podium to speak.
- Testify: Begin your testimony by stating your name, who you represent if you speak for an organization or yourself if not) and your position on the bill (in favor, opposed or neutral). You’ll have two minutes. Suggested talking points can be found here.
Questions?
Contact Cara Santucci with the House Democratic Caucus (caratxhdc@gmail.com/(512) 463-0574).