Senate Witness Sign-Up Guide

To testify in favor or against a bill, you must sign up 48 business hours prior to the hearing of the bill 8am–6pm EST. For example, a Wednesday bill hearing would require a Monday 8am-6pm sign up time.

HOW TO TESTIFY:

  • All bill hearings will be held in person with a virtual oral testimony option (via Zoom) and streamed live on YouTube.

  • Oral testimony sign-up and written testimony (must be a PDF document) are submitted using MyMGA on the Maryland General Assembly website found here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Account/Login 

  • Sign in or create a MyMGA account online.  Screenshot below of Registration page:

STEPS:

1. Sign in to your MyMGA Account.

2. Click on Witness Signup.

3. Scroll to the appropriate Senate Committee, Date and Time.

4. Select the bill number, fill in organization, position (FAV), and testimony type.

5. Upload written testimony as a PDF (if applicable).

6. Click SAVE at the top of the page.

7. Watch your email if you signed up to testify virtually, you will be sent a link.

TIPS FOR TESTIMONY:

• Written testimony must be in PDF format.

• Oral testimony is limited to 2 minutes.

• You may testify in person or via Zoom.

• You may also email all committee members your position.

• At the very least, you can select FAV (favorable), which will act as your testimony.

• If you sign up to testify in-person, be aware that while the committee is slated to begin at a certain time, the order of bills being heard is not released until that morning.  The order is subject to the number of bills and number of witnesses.  Therefore, the bill may be heard at any point between 1pm and 5pm. 

CONTACT: If you have questions, contact: 410-841-3706 or jb.jennings@senate.maryland.gov 

**After the Committee votes on a bill and is on second reader, the testimony can be found on the MGA website on each bill’s history page under “Witness List”.  Testimony for bills not voted on can be found on the MGA website on each bill’s history page after the session ends.**

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