How to Testify before the Council

Testifying Before the Council

An engaged citizenry and active advocacy community makes our government stronger. The Council encourages all District residents, workers, and organizational representatives to participate in public hearings and roundtables. This is your opportunity to make your views known and have them become part of the official committee record.

All Council hearings and roundtables are placed on the calendar on the Council’s website. There you will find the notice and any other specific instructions for testifying. Each calendar entry also includes the functionality to register to testify, as well as to submit testimony for the record.

 

Where to Find Hearing Information

Visit the DC Council Hearing Management System (HMS) at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings/ to:

  • Find upcoming hearings and roundtables
  • See what legislation or issues will be discussed
  • Register to testify
  • Submit written testimony
  • View who else is testifying
  • Download hearing notices and testimony from others

The HMS is your one-stop shop for everything related to Council hearings.

 

How to Sign Up to Testify

Committees offer both live in-person testimony or live virtual testimony. Use the Register to Testify button at the top of a calendar entry. You will need to provide:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Organization name and your title (if representing an organization)
  • Any other information requested by the Committee

 

How to Submit Written-Only Testimony

You may submit written testimony without testifying. Use the Submit Testimony button at the top of a calendar entry. You can either upload your testimony in PDF, Word, Pages or Text format, or type your testimony directly into the database. The hearing notice will specify the hearing record deadline for submitting testimony.

 

How to Request Accessibility Services

Language Interpretation

If you need spoken language interpretation or sign language interpretation (including ASL), please contact the committee as soon as possible but no later than five (5) business days before the proceeding. The Council will make every effort to fulfill timely requests however requests received in less than five (5) business days may not be fulfilled and alternatives may be offered.

Available Assistive Listening Options

Hearing Room 500: FM System available

Hearing Rooms 412, 120, and 123: Audio induction loop technology available

All hearing rooms: Closed captioning on large screens

Please notify the committee at least 1 business day before the hearing to request these services.

 

How to Watch Hearings

You can watch live or recorded hearings:

 

For more information see: An Easy Guide to Testifying