I'm going to appear before a legislative committee.

• How does it work?
• What shall I expect?
• What do I do?

When a bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House, it is sent to a standing committee for study and to receive public comment. The committee makes an initial determination if the proposal should go forward in the legislature. If it votes to do so, the committee can suggest amendments to the bill, approve it for further action by the full Senate or House, or disapprove it.

What happens to a bill when it is referred to a committee?

Once a bill has been sent to a committee, the committee chairman may set a date and time for a hearing on the proposal. You can keep track of the committee's schedule by reading the notices on the committee room door, by following the daily calendar available in the Senate or House lobby or the capitol rotunda, or by checking the legislature's website (http://legisweb.state.wy.us). If you are interested in a particular bill, you should be in the committee room when the hearing is scheduled. When you arrive at the meeting room, you may be asked to sign an attendance sheet indicating you were at the meeting. You can either observe the proceedings or you can present additional information to the committee or tell the members how you feel about the proposal. This is where the citizen can have direct input to the legislature on any proposed legislation.

A Senate committee has five members; a House committee has nine. The chairman presides and controls the meeting. A committee secretary takes notes and assists the chairman. Seats are available for the public. Committee meetings are always open to the public.

When the time comes to consider a particular bill, the chairman will announce its name and number. The sponsor or sponsors will explain the proposal to the committee. Any member of the committee may ask the sponsor questions. Next, other legislators may speak and can be questioned. Then the chairman will ask if anyone in the audience wants to comment on the proposal -- either for or against. That person also can be questioned. When everyone has spoken, the committee will "work the bill." That is when the committee discusses the proposal, considers amendments and decides if the bill should go forward or be stopped.

• Stand if you want the committee chairman to call on you to speak.
• When the chairman recognizes you, give your name clearly and distinctly and the name of the group or organization for whom you will speak, if any.
• Be brief.
• Don't repeat what another speaker has said. If your statement would be the same, simply state that you agree with a previous speaker.
• Consider having a handout with a summary of your points. Have enough copies for the committee, its secretary and a few for interested members of the audience. Before you begin, hand all copies to the chairman and request that he distribute them.

This procedure is to insure an orderly flow of discussion at a legislative meeting. Since the chairman controls the meeting, all comments, questions, and responses must go through the chairman. Anyone who wishes to speak -- committee members, witnesses or members of the public -- must be recognized and called on by the chairman. Once recognized, that person starts by saying, "Mr. Chairman, * * *" and continuing with the question or statement. The person talks to the chairman even if the question or the comment is directed to someone else. For example, a committee member might say, "Mr. Chairman, would the sponsor of the bill tell us if an additional appropriation will be required." The sponsor then would reply, "Mr. Chairman, the proposal would not require additional funding."

Is the procedure similar at committee meetings held between sessions?

These are meetings of the joint interim committees where the same standing committees of both the Senate and House meet together. They are held between the regular legislative sessions held in the capitol building. The joint interim meetings often are held at various communities in the state. Complex or major issues are undertaken by these committees. The procedure is very similar to appearing before a standing committee during the legislative sessions. If you want to be sure to have a spot on the program, you can contact the committee chairman and tell him or her of your intention to appear. If you can't be there in person, you can always submit a written statement which will be distributed to the committee and made a part of the meeting record.

You will always be welcome at any committee meeting. The members of the legislature want you to be an active participant in the legislative process.

If you are speaking on your own behalf, you do not have to register. If you are representing a group or organization, you do. The Secretary of State handles lobbyist registrations.

More than a spectator sport -- participate.
Published by the Wyoming Legislature