Handbook·State government

How to testify before the New York legislature

State page·Verified 2026-07-10

The mechanics of testifying are in the general guide. This page covers what is specific to New York.

How New York does it

New York handles testimony largely hearing by hearing rather than through one standing statewide portal. For the annual Joint Legislative Budget Hearings, which run over several weeks each January and February, the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees post a schedule and a witness request form. Anyone wanting to testify in person must submit that request by a stated deadline, typically a few days to about two weeks ahead. Written testimony can be submitted for any hearing without testifying in person, due by 5pm on the day of the hearing, emailed to both the Assembly Ways and Means chair and Senate Finance chair. In-person oral testimony at a budget hearing is limited to one hearing per witness or organization, though written testimony can go to multiple hearings. For other standing committee hearings, the process is set by the individual committee: interested parties complete and return a reply form by the deadline in that hearing's public notice. Oral time limits vary by committee and hearing, commonly landing around five minutes. Confirm the actual limit with the committee or at /engage. Remote or videoconference testimony varies by committee and isn't guaranteed statewide. A bill that would make it a standing accommodation has been introduced repeatedly since 2021 but had not passed as of the 2026 session. Check with the specific committee, or route the question to /engage.

Deadlines and numbers

  • 2026 budget hearing witness sign-up: January 23, 2026 (12pm) for Week 1 hearings. January 28, 2026 (5pm) for Weeks 2 to 4.
  • Written testimony (budget hearings): due 5pm on the date of the specific hearing.
  • In-person budget hearing testimony: one hearing per witness/organization. No such limit on written testimony.
  • Standing committee hearings: oral testimony time limits vary by committee, commonly around 5 minutes. Confirm with the committee or /engage.

Where to go