FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TESTIFYING ON ANY BILL THAT IS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION: I received the following information from one of the committee clerks. (I have edited it to apply to any Committee.) See my separate post on a bill that may be of interest.

The following is an update on HOW TO SUBMIT Written and Oral Testimony to a Legislative Committee. If you have any questions please direct them to the appropriate Committee Clerk. For the Judiciary Committee, that’s JUD@legislature.maine.gov

For the State and Local Government Committee, that’s slg@legislature.maine.gov

For other committees, go to this link and choose the appropriate committee page: http://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees

Written Testimony: The ensure that your written testimony is accessible to committee members during the hearing, please submit that testimony using the online portal via the following link: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/. Using the portal ensures that the clerk and the analyst will also receive a copy.

UPDATE - You can submit written testimony either as an attachment, or you can type it into the box provided.  But I have learned that you should not type anything into the box that is NOT your written testimony, because the automated system will assume it is your testimony and publish it online!  Also, the link for written testimony and oral testimony is the same.  If you want to submit both, check the appropriate box.  For written testimony only, leave the box unchecked.

Oral Testimony: Please Note: Committees will not be receiving testimony at the State House complex at this time and will be conducting all meetings electronically. To register to provide oral testimony over the electronic platform or via a toll-free phone number, please use the portal at https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/ Follow all instructions on this site.

To provide oral testimony, register no later than 30 minutes prior to the posted start time of the meeting; registrations received after that time will be accepted at the discretion of the committee chairs. Committee meetings may be heard at www.mainelegislature.org or viewed at www.youtube.com/mainestatelegislature - click on "Channels" and then select the appropriate committee.

UPDATE - For oral testimony only, (no written testimony,) DO NOT ENTER ANYTHING INTO THE TEXT BOX.  Just check the box for oral testimony.  If you wish to add your testimony in written form right after the hearing, you may do so and the committee will receive it, but it will not be published online.

Persons with special needs wishing to participate in a Legislative hearing who require accommodations should notify the Legislative Information Office as soon as possible: 207-287-1692, FAX 207-287-1580, lio@legislature.maine.gov.

· Information to include in your Oral Testimony Request:

o First and Last name.

o Position – For, Against, or Neither for nor against

o Email address – Prefer this in the body of the email for ease of access.

o City/town or organization

o Phone number.

PLAN TO KEEP YOUR TESTIMONY TO ONE PAGE, OR TO WHAT YOU CAN SAY OR READ ALOUD IN THREE MINUTES OR LESS.

What to expect when joining a virtual Public Hearing.

1. When you receive an invitation to a Zoom meeting (Public Hearing) you will be asked to click a link to register. Once you have registered, you will receive another link generated by Zoom to join the meeting. Wait until the day of the meeting to click the link to JOIN. If you have difficulty finding the invitation on the day of the meeting don’t worry. A reminder will be sent on the morning of the meeting with the link attached.

2. When you click the link to join the meeting, you will be in a WAITING ROOM. You will be able to see and hear the committee members who have joined so far, but you will not be seen or heard. The host will be watching who is in attendance in the waiting room (we will know you are here even though you cannot be seen or heard at this time).

3. When it is time for your testimony: The Chairs have a list of all who are scheduled to testify. They will indicate to the host to admit the next in line to testify. (2 or 3 at a time will be brought into the meeting). During the transition from the waiting room to the meeting, you will see a box with a blue spooling circle and a message saying “Joining”. BE PATIENT! This may take 5-7 seconds. When you can see the participants again, you will be in the meeting and will be able to see yourself on screen. Please remain muted until you are called on to speak. After you have given your testimony and answered any questions the committee may have, you will be returned to the waiting room. Expect the same 5-7 second delay on your return. When you can see the participants again, you are back in the waiting room. You can remain there for the rest of the hearing or leave by clicking the red END button in the lower right hand corner of the screen.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the appropriate committee clerk as instructed in the first paragraph above.

If you are invited as a guest:

Some folks have found that certain icons (raise hand) are missing from their screens. Please try updating your zoom account. I’ve provided a link directly below to help you accomplish this update.

How to update your Zoom to latest version:

https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+to+update+zoom&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM =IENAE2

Thank you for your patience with this new process. If you have any questions at all, please contact the appropriate Committee Clerk via email or phone. Again, contact information for each committee can be found through this link: http://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees