How to testify before the Michigan legislature
The mechanics of testifying are in the general guide. This page covers what is specific to Michigan.
How Michigan does it
Michigan handles testimony at the committee level rather than through one central statewide process. When a bill is referred to committee, the chair decides whether to hold a public hearing. If a hearing happens, the sponsor, other interested parties, and members of the public may testify to support, oppose, or suggest changes. There's no single statewide portal for written testimony: it goes to the clerk of the specific committee hearing the bill, and each committee's page on house.mi.gov or senate.michigan.gov lists that clerk's contact information. Clerks accept written testimony ahead of the meeting and will also take it in person. Remote or video participation isn't documented as a standing statewide policy. If you can't attend in person, contact the committee chair's office directly to ask whether remote testimony is possible for that hearing.
Deadlines and numbers
- No fixed statewide time limit per speaker. Committee chairs manage hearing time and may set limits meeting to meeting.
- No fixed statewide deadline in days for written testimony. Submission windows are set by each committee and the specific hearing notice.
- Confirm timing directly with the committee clerk once a hearing is scheduled.
Where to go
- Committee meeting calendar: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Committees/Meetings
- Sign up for committee/bill notifications: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/ListServerSignUp
- Senate "How to Testify" guidance: https://senate.michigan.gov/information/committees/how-to-testify/
- House "How Committees Work" guidance: https://www.house.mi.gov/HowCommitteesWork
- Senate Committee Clerks contact: [email protected]
Exact per-speaker time limits and written-testimony deadlines vary by committee and aren't published statewide. Check /engage for help finding the right committee clerk.