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There are key moments during the legislative session when we call on our Chamber members to take action—contacting legislators to share how proposed bills could impact your business operations in Maine. Time and again, our members have played a vital role in advancing or stopping legislation. When members get involved, we amplify The Voice of Maine Business and drive real policy outcomes that help your business thrive and grow.
Why You Should Participate
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is widely respected as the leading voice for Maine businesses at the State House and before regulatory agencies. That said, no voice carries more weight in the State House than yours! Our role is not only to advocate on your behalf—but also to empower you to speak up on the issues that matter most.
Now, we’re not saying you’ll be testifying every day. But from time to time, we reach out and ask Chamber members to consider appearing before legislative committees to share your perspective on the debates that directly impact your ability to do business in Maine. We’ll continue working hard for you every day—but hearing directly from constituents makes a powerful impression on lawmakers.
There are two main ways you can provide testimony: Public Hearings and Legislative Work Sessions.
Why You Should Participate
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is widely respected as the leading voice for Maine businesses at the State House and before regulatory agencies. That said, no voice carries more weight in the State House than yours! Our role is not only to advocate on your behalf—but also to empower you to speak up on the issues that matter most.
Now, we’re not saying you’ll be testifying every day. But from time to time, we reach out and ask Chamber members to consider appearing before legislative committees to share your perspective on the debates that directly impact your ability to do business in Maine. We’ll continue working hard for you every day—but hearing directly from constituents makes a powerful impression on lawmakers.
There are two main ways you can provide testimony: Public Hearings and Legislative Work Sessions.
Public Hearings
Participating in a public hearing is one of the most direct and effective ways to influence a bill’s outcome.
These hearings are typically well-organized, respectful, and open to anyone who wants to speak. It’s your chance to look lawmakers in the eye and explain how a proposed bill would impact you and your business.
Public hearings are a critical point in a bill’s journey—often the best opportunity for members of the public to share their perspective and shape legislation before it moves forward.
Participating in a public hearing is one of the most direct and effective ways to influence a bill’s outcome.
These hearings are typically well-organized, respectful, and open to anyone who wants to speak. It’s your chance to look lawmakers in the eye and explain how a proposed bill would impact you and your business.
Public hearings are a critical point in a bill’s journey—often the best opportunity for members of the public to share their perspective and shape legislation before it moves forward.
Public Hearings: Process
Virtually all bills go through a screening process before reaching the full Legislature, and most follow the same basic path from draft to enactment.
Once a bill is drafted, it's assigned to one of the Legislature's joint standing committees, which then schedules a public hearing. This is when interested parties—if they haven’t already—begin to shape their positions.
The Maine State Chamber often highlights key bills in our Impact newsletter and reaches out to members to gauge the business community’s stance. If a bill relates to your area of expertise, our team may invite you to testify—or you may choose to testify on your own.
In the days leading up to a hearing, individuals and groups with shared interests often connect to coordinate their approach and determine the types of testimony they’ll offer.
Public hearing days are typically very active. A single committee may schedule anywhere from three to ten bills in one day. The tone and structure of these hearings often resemble a town meeting—busy but respectful, and open to all voices.
Once a bill is drafted, it's assigned to one of the Legislature's joint standing committees, which then schedules a public hearing. This is when interested parties—if they haven’t already—begin to shape their positions.
The Maine State Chamber often highlights key bills in our Impact newsletter and reaches out to members to gauge the business community’s stance. If a bill relates to your area of expertise, our team may invite you to testify—or you may choose to testify on your own.
In the days leading up to a hearing, individuals and groups with shared interests often connect to coordinate their approach and determine the types of testimony they’ll offer.
Public hearing days are typically very active. A single committee may schedule anywhere from three to ten bills in one day. The tone and structure of these hearings often resemble a town meeting—busy but respectful, and open to all voices.
Public Hearings: Speaking
Generally, the bill’s sponsor—a senator or representative—will take the podium first to introduce the proposed legislation. After that, the committee chair gives co-sponsors a chance to speak.
It’s important to listen closely to these initial remarks. Sponsors often explain why the bill was introduced, how committed they are to its passage, and where they might welcome additional ideas or amendments.
Once the sponsors finish, the committee opens the floor to public testimony in support of the bill. There’s no predetermined speaking order and no formal system for assigning who goes first. Sometimes, supporters (or opponents) will coordinate an informal "batting order" to help structure the flow of testimony.
For example, the Maine State Chamber often testifies early to outline major business concerns and lay the groundwork for testimony from our members and others.
After all supporters have spoken, opponents of the bill are invited to testify. Again, there’s no required order—just a fair opportunity to be heard.
Finally, the committee will often allow for a third type of testimony: "neither for nor against." This is for individuals or groups who may have concerns or feedback but aren’t ready to take a firm position on the bill.
In most cases, the committee makes time for all three categories of testimony—proponents, opponents, and neutrals—ensuring a balanced and inclusive hearing.
It’s important to listen closely to these initial remarks. Sponsors often explain why the bill was introduced, how committed they are to its passage, and where they might welcome additional ideas or amendments.
Once the sponsors finish, the committee opens the floor to public testimony in support of the bill. There’s no predetermined speaking order and no formal system for assigning who goes first. Sometimes, supporters (or opponents) will coordinate an informal "batting order" to help structure the flow of testimony.
For example, the Maine State Chamber often testifies early to outline major business concerns and lay the groundwork for testimony from our members and others.
After all supporters have spoken, opponents of the bill are invited to testify. Again, there’s no required order—just a fair opportunity to be heard.
Finally, the committee will often allow for a third type of testimony: "neither for nor against." This is for individuals or groups who may have concerns or feedback but aren’t ready to take a firm position on the bill.
In most cases, the committee makes time for all three categories of testimony—proponents, opponents, and neutrals—ensuring a balanced and inclusive hearing.
Public Hearings: Tips
Presenting testimony before a legislative committee might feel intimidating at first—but it’s actually quite manageable, especially if you’ve done your homework.
Keep your presentation short, clear, and focused. The most effective testimony is concise, backed by facts, and ideally includes personal experience or even visual aids. Legislators value quick, well-organized remarks that help them understand the real-world impact of a bill.
Your personal experience—especially when it directly illustrates how the legislation would affect your business—is incredibly powerful. Lawmakers rely on this kind of information because they often don’t have access to it any other way.
On the flip side, testimony tends to be less effective when it’s repetitive, overly long, or not grounded in facts or firsthand experience. Broad political or ideological arguments rarely move the needle. Legislators want to make decisions based on solid, specific evidence.
If you're preparing testimony, focus on the direct impact: how the bill would help—or hurt—you, your business, or your employees. That’s the message lawmakers need to hear.
Keep your presentation short, clear, and focused. The most effective testimony is concise, backed by facts, and ideally includes personal experience or even visual aids. Legislators value quick, well-organized remarks that help them understand the real-world impact of a bill.
Your personal experience—especially when it directly illustrates how the legislation would affect your business—is incredibly powerful. Lawmakers rely on this kind of information because they often don’t have access to it any other way.
On the flip side, testimony tends to be less effective when it’s repetitive, overly long, or not grounded in facts or firsthand experience. Broad political or ideological arguments rarely move the needle. Legislators want to make decisions based on solid, specific evidence.
If you're preparing testimony, focus on the direct impact: how the bill would help—or hurt—you, your business, or your employees. That’s the message lawmakers need to hear.
Public Hearings: Questions from the Committee
Time permitting, good testimony is often followed by questions from committee members. Sometimes these questions can be pointed or challenging. If that happens, don’t get flustered. Take a moment to pause and think before responding—there’s no rush to answer immediately.
Never guess. If you don’t know the answer, it’s absolutely okay to say so. Admitting you don’t have the information at hand is far better than giving an inaccurate or incomplete answer. Just be sure to follow up as soon as possible with the correct information.
Be careful not to concede your position unintentionally. Some committee members may phrase a question as a statement and ask, “Don’t you agree?” If the statement contradicts your testimony, don’t be afraid to disagree respectfully. You're there to provide your honest perspective—and that’s exactly what legislators want and need to hear.
Don’t take tough questions personally. Legislators have a responsibility to examine all sides of an issue. A calm, thoughtful response may even persuade a skeptic to see your point of view.
Stay consistent with your allies. Try to align your message with others who are testifying in support of the same position. And don’t forget: committees appreciate written testimony as well. Bringing 20 copies is typically enough to cover all committee members and staff.
Never guess. If you don’t know the answer, it’s absolutely okay to say so. Admitting you don’t have the information at hand is far better than giving an inaccurate or incomplete answer. Just be sure to follow up as soon as possible with the correct information.
Be careful not to concede your position unintentionally. Some committee members may phrase a question as a statement and ask, “Don’t you agree?” If the statement contradicts your testimony, don’t be afraid to disagree respectfully. You're there to provide your honest perspective—and that’s exactly what legislators want and need to hear.
Don’t take tough questions personally. Legislators have a responsibility to examine all sides of an issue. A calm, thoughtful response may even persuade a skeptic to see your point of view.
Stay consistent with your allies. Try to align your message with others who are testifying in support of the same position. And don’t forget: committees appreciate written testimony as well. Bringing 20 copies is typically enough to cover all committee members and staff.
Public Hearings: Next Steps
One good follow-up idea for anyone who testifies at a public hearing is to talk to legislators immediately after the hearing, or in the next few days, to reinforce the points made in testimony. Telephone calls and letters are also good ways to bring home the main points of your testimony. Once the public hearing has concluded, the committee will schedule a work session to discuss the legislation among committee members. These are open to the public, but differ substantially in how one may participate.
Public Hearings: Prep Help from the Chamber
The Maine Chamber works with many of its members on a regular basis to coordinate and formulate testimony. If you have concerns about specific pieces of legislation and would like to testify at a public hearing – but haven't testified in Augusta recently or at all – we can help! Reach out for advice and assistance from Maine Chamber staff. Feel free to call us at (207) 623-4568.
Legislative Work Sessions
Work sessions are a key part of the legislative process—and an important opportunity to influence amendments and final outcomes.
If you have a strong interest in a bill, don’t underestimate the value of the work session. This is where the committee digs in, deliberates, and often decides what the final version of the bill will look like.
Work sessions are a key part of the legislative process—and an important opportunity to influence amendments and final outcomes.
If you have a strong interest in a bill, don’t underestimate the value of the work session. This is where the committee digs in, deliberates, and often decides what the final version of the bill will look like.
Legislative Work Sessions: Process
From start to finish, most bills follow a familiar path: they’re drafted, assigned to one of 20 joint standing committees, and scheduled for a public hearing where sponsors, supporters, and opponents can weigh in.
After the hearing, the committee holds a work session—a deeper dive where members discuss the bill in detail and take formal action. This is where a bill can either be amended and advanced to the full Legislature, or be voted down and effectively stopped in committee.
While a work session is not a public hearing, it is open to the public. The session is primarily for committee members to deliberate, but it often includes input from others—such as legislators, state agency staff, lobbyists, and interested members of the public.
The main goal of a work session is to allow committee members to:
This is where the real shaping of the bill happens—making work sessions a critical part of the process.
After the hearing, the committee holds a work session—a deeper dive where members discuss the bill in detail and take formal action. This is where a bill can either be amended and advanced to the full Legislature, or be voted down and effectively stopped in committee.
While a work session is not a public hearing, it is open to the public. The session is primarily for committee members to deliberate, but it often includes input from others—such as legislators, state agency staff, lobbyists, and interested members of the public.
The main goal of a work session is to allow committee members to:
- Thoroughly discuss the bill’s content and implications
- Draft and review amendments
- Vote on a final recommendation to send to the full Legislature
This is where the real shaping of the bill happens—making work sessions a critical part of the process.
Legislative Work Sessions: Speaking
If you’re not a committee member, you must be recognized by the committee chair before speaking. This courtesy is usually granted, but if you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to mention your interest in speaking to a committee member before the work session begins.
It is our experience that members of the committee appreciate the information and opinions offered by the public. Generally speaking, this is not the time to be political. This is the time to offer helpful, constructive information which will assist the committee in its decision-making process.
Often, committee members have specific questions about a bill—questions that only those attending the work session can answer. If the bill affects your business directly, your presence could be especially important.
Work sessions offer a unique opportunity to interact with lawmakers in a more conversational environment. It’s also a chance to offer suggested amendments you'd like the committee to consider.
To ensure your input gets the attention it deserves:
For significant legislation, the work session is often the most critical phase of the process. If you can’t attend, but have important information to share, contact a Maine State Chamber advocacy team member ahead of time—we’ll make sure your voice is still part of the conversation.
It is our experience that members of the committee appreciate the information and opinions offered by the public. Generally speaking, this is not the time to be political. This is the time to offer helpful, constructive information which will assist the committee in its decision-making process.
Often, committee members have specific questions about a bill—questions that only those attending the work session can answer. If the bill affects your business directly, your presence could be especially important.
Work sessions offer a unique opportunity to interact with lawmakers in a more conversational environment. It’s also a chance to offer suggested amendments you'd like the committee to consider.
To ensure your input gets the attention it deserves:
- Share your proposals with committee members in advance of the session
- At minimum, let a member know ahead of time that you plan to suggest changes
- It always helps to have at least one committee member who understands and supports your position
For significant legislation, the work session is often the most critical phase of the process. If you can’t attend, but have important information to share, contact a Maine State Chamber advocacy team member ahead of time—we’ll make sure your voice is still part of the conversation.
Legislative Work Sessions: Scheduling
Work sessions are scheduled by the committee chairs and are not required to be advertised in advance, as are public hearings — so it is sometimes a challenge to know just when a bill will be considered. Some committees publish their work session schedules in advance; others do not.
Notification can range from 10 days to 10 minutes. Occasionally, bills come up unexpectedly — and that is one reason Maine Chamber staff are in such regular attendance at these sessions. If you are unsure about a work session schedule on a bill of interest to you, contact either the legislative committee clerk or Maine Chamber staff.
Notification can range from 10 days to 10 minutes. Occasionally, bills come up unexpectedly — and that is one reason Maine Chamber staff are in such regular attendance at these sessions. If you are unsure about a work session schedule on a bill of interest to you, contact either the legislative committee clerk or Maine Chamber staff.
Tips for Testifying
Testifying before the Maine State Legislature is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard on a specific bill. It’s your chance to influence public policy and ensure your perspective becomes part of the official record.
Below are some key guidelines to help you present your views clearly, confidently, and with impact.
Testifying before the Maine State Legislature is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard on a specific bill. It’s your chance to influence public policy and ensure your perspective becomes part of the official record.
Below are some key guidelines to help you present your views clearly, confidently, and with impact.
Testifying: Things to Remember
- Always bring 20 copies of your testimony with you and hand them to the clerk who will distribute the copies to all the committee members.
- Get to the hearing early. Be patient if the hearing is delayed.
- Deliver your testimony; don't just read from the text.
- Keep your comments short and concise (3 minutes maximum) and try not to ramble.
- Be pleasant, interesting, and energetic.
- Include visual aids such as charts and graphs to emphasize your position.
- Consider this opportunity a privilege, not a chore.
- Practice breathing and relaxing.
- Don't be intimidated. It is acceptable to disagree, but do not get cornered into an argument with the committee or the opposition. Avoid being confrontational or using foul language.
- If you don't know the answer to a follow-up question, "I don't know" is an appropriate answer, rather than risking your credibility or getting maneuvered into saying something contradictory.
- Congratulate yourself on a job well done!
Testifying: Writing Your Testimony
- Identify yourself (name, title, company) and the number of people you specifically represent, their general interests, and their contributions to the economy.
- Simply state your position on the issue, and then summarize the main reasons for your position. Give specific examples about the proposal's impact on your business.
- Try to say something positive in your BRIEF remarks. For example, talk about ways you have communicated with your employees on safety issues or talk about reforms that enabled you to grow your business – either through investing in capital equipment and/or hiring additional employees.
- Conclude by summarizing the importance of the issue to your company.
- Thank the committee for the opportunity to testify and for considering the issue and your position in its deliberations. Simply end your remarks by saying, "Thank you for your time. I'd be happy to answer any questions."
- If there is a question you cannot answer during the hearing, offer to find out and follow up with your lawmaker promptly.
Testifying: Following Up
After the hearing, be sure to write a letter of thanks to all the committee members present. Summarize your main points, ask for support of your position, and offer to answer any questions. Also provide any additional information requested at the hearing.
Testifying: Help from the Chamber
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce's Advocacy staff is here to work with you to coordinate and formulate testimony. If you would like to get involved in making the voice of business heard at the Statehouse, we want to hear from you. You can let us know if you are available to testify on a specific issue or if you would be willing to come to the State House and show your support by attending a public hearing. Both methods are very important to our legislative success. Email Linda Caprara at [email protected] and sign up to testify today
Video: How to Testify Before a Legislative Committee
