ONLINE TESTIMONY

The rules of the Missouri House allow written testimony to be submitted online through the House website. If a member of the public would like to submit written testimony on a bill, he or she can do so by submitting an electronic witness form.
There is a link to “Submit Online Witness Testimony” at the top of the Hearings page on the House website. The same link is also on each electronic hearing notice under “Submit Witness Form/Submit Written Testimony”.
A public hearing has to be scheduled for a specific bill before written testimony can be submitted for that bill. When a bill is scheduled for a public hearing, the date and time appear on the bill’s web page under Next House Hearing, as well as on the Hearing notice for the committee.
During the period in which written testimony will be accepted for a specific bill, a link to submit written testimony is also available on the bill web page following the information about the House hearing, under “submit testimony”.
Written testimony can be submitted from the time the hearing notice is published up until midnight on the day the hearing adjourns.
Email verification must be completed to finalize and submit your testimony.

REMOTE TESTIMONY FAQS

The rules of the Missouri House allow for remote public testimony during select public hearings for the 103rd General Assembly in the event of an emergency or if special accommodations are necessary. Remote testimony for a public hearing will only be in order if the committee chair in possession of the bill, with the approval of the Speaker, authorizes remote testimony prior to the committee hearing. If a committee has authorized remote testimony for a bill, it will be indicated on the hearing notice. Regardless of whether remote testimony has been approved, committee hearings will still be livestreamed and accept in person testimony or electronically submitted written testimony.

What is remote testimony?

If authorized by a committee chair, approved members of the public may testify on a specific bill remotely via zoom or audio teleconferencing instead of attending the public hearing in person at the State Capitol. The time and manner of the remote testimony will be established by the committee.

When can I testify remotely?

Remote testimony will only be allowed for a bill if authorized by the chair of the committee hearing the bill in the event of an emergency or if special accommodations are necessary. If the committee is to consider remote testimony for a bill, it must be authorized by the chair prior to the hearing in which public testimony is taken and stated on the hearing notice. Members of the public who wish to testify remotely on a bill that has been noticed for remote testimony must request to do so. A link or call in number will then be sent to those individuals authorized to testify remotely. The legislator assistant for the Chair of the committee will coordinate the remote testimony.

How do I request to testify remotely?

Once a hearing has been noticed to hear remote testimony on a bill, members of the public can request to testify remotely. Requests must be made before the hearing begins. Requests can be made through the electronic witness appearance form. There will be a link to the form on the hearing notice. The form will allow the witness to choose whether he or she will appear in person, would like to submit written testimony, or would like to request to testify remotely. If remote testimony is not an option for a particular bill, or the time period to request to testify remotely has passed, the option will no longer be available on the witness form. Requests to testify remotely can also be made directly to the chair of the committee prior to the meeting to consider remote testimony.

What is the difference between remote testimony and written testimony?

Remote testimony must be approved, on a case by case basis, for each public hearing. Written testimony will be accepted for all bills that receive a public hearing. Written testimony can be submitted through the electronic witness appearance form and will be available on the bill page of the House website.