They are a regular occurrence on session days, but they can easily derail any legislative issue being advocated for – a committee hearing. Committee hearings are an important part of the legislative process, but they need appropriate preparation and planning in order to avoid unnecessary roadblocks.

First, what are the nuts and bolts of a hearing?

• • Most committee hearings are scheduled for up to 90 minutes.
  • Legislators serve on anywhere from two to eight committees. Senate members tend to have more committee assignments and are more likely to serve on both policy and appropriations committee. While in the House, members typically serve on either appropriation or policy committees.
  • Most committee chairs require at least two hearings before a bill will be voted out of committee. The first hearing is devoted to testimony and, if the bill is ready for a vote, the committee will vote on the bill during the second hearing.

How to set yourself up for success:

1. Understand the Committee

 Doing your homework before any committee is important, it will help you understand the committee and where the members are coming from. You should aim to meet with all the committee members and educate them on the bill. Also meet with the appropriate policy staff so when they get questions from members, they have a clear understanding of where the stakeholders are coming from.

2. Have the Right Message and the Right Messenger

 Understanding the committee will help prepare you for what your message should be. Use your time providing testimony to answer common questions and shape the issue. Having the right messenger is also key. For example, certain technical experts may understand an issue, but they can get bogged down into complicated and unnecessary detail that doesn’t bring value to a hearing. This type of testimony can create confusion among committee members.

3. Less is More

 Legislators sit through hours of hearings and while everyone that testifies has “vital information” to share, it can get tuned out at times. A good rule of thought is less is more. Shape the issue, provide the necessary detail, and answer questions directly and concisely. Use individual meetings to get into more detail with the legislators that are seeking that level of depth to an issue or bill.

Following these simple guidelines can help position you for a successful committee hearing.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.