A Beginner’s Guide to Testifying in Olympia

We are less than two weeks away from the Washington State 2026 Legislative Session, which begins on Monday, January 12th. This is an even year in the biennium cycle – meaning that the session will be just 60 days with the last day of regular session being March 12th. Whether you are speaking on behalf of an organization or showing up as a passionate individual, there are many avenues available to ensure your voice is heard. Testifying in Olympia during the legislative session allows you to directly advocate for the issues you care about and guarantee your perspective reaches the legislators and committees shaping policy. Washington State is considered among the most accessible legislatures in the country, as bills are subject to public hearings in House and Senate committees prior to being considered on the floor of the respective chamber.

The Washington State Legislature provides the ability to testify both virtually and in-person. While pilot programs for virtual testimony existed prior to 2020, fully remote sessions became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in a universal remote testimony system that remains intact. Whether testifying remotely or on the Capitol campus, advanced registration is required for the committee meeting at which the bill is scheduled to be heard. By visiting app.leg.wa.gov/CSI, you can select which chamber or agency you seek to testify before. Once selected, you can choose the relevant committee and view meeting times and confirm that the bills you seek to testify for are on the agenda. Testimony registration closes one hour prior to the start of the committee hearing – if you are unable to meet the registration deadline, you will not be able to testify before the committee on that day. However, the legislature does provide the option to submit written testimony. On the testimony registration webpage, you repeat the process of selecting the committee, meeting date and time, and the bill you seek to testify on. From there, you will be given the option to choose, “I would like to submit written testimony.” Once you submit your written comments and/or attachments, your testimony will be made accessible to members of the committee and their staff – it will also be included in the legislative record. The legislature permits the submission of written testimony for up to 24 hours after the start of the respective committee meeting, providing flexibility for those with busy schedules and time constraints.

Senate committees typically meet in hearing rooms in the John A. Cherberg Building, while House committees usually meet in the John L. O’Brien Building. Both buildings are adjacent to the Legislative Building in Olympia. Given the openness of the legislature, anyone can testify without the need of formal training. However, there is a general framework for maximizing the effectiveness and timeliness of your testimony. When your name is announced and you are given the floor, it is standard practice to formally introduce yourself to the chair and members of the committee by stating your name and whether you support or oppose the bill. It is also standard practice to clarify whether you are representing an organization, a group, or if you are speaking on behalf of a particular community impacted by the legislation. Most committee hearings are limited to two hours and often have a significant number of individuals registered to testify; therefore, it is common for the committee to impose time limits on verbal testimony in an effort to provide everyone the opportunity to speak. For this reason, it is important to be cognizant of time and prepare brief and concise talking points that convey your position with clarity. If you are unable to complete your entire testimony due to time constraints, you still have the option to submit a written testimony.

Whether you are advocating on behalf of an organization or speaking as a concerned citizen, testifying before the legislature is a powerful way to make your voice heard in Olympia. When individuals from diverse backgrounds step forward with passion and courage, they help ensure that policymaking reflects lived experiences and the collective strength of civic engagement. At PCS, we encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved and demonstrate the power of collective action within institutions designed to safeguard our right to participate in democracy.