Testify In Person

Testify In Person: Your Guide to Making Your Voice Heard in the Legislative Process

Executive Summary

Testify In Person is a comprehensive, action-oriented guide that empowers ordinary citizens to participate directly in Washington State’s legislative process. Rather than relying solely on emails and phone calls—which are good but often insufficient—this resource teaches defenders of biblical values how to officially register their positions and provide testimony before legislative committees.

In a state where powerful interests dominate the conversation, your voice matters. Testify In Person removes the barriers and provides the roadmap.

The Problem

Email is good. But testifying is better.

When citizens contact elected officials by email or phone, their position is noted informally. When they register their position and testify before committee, legislators hear their voice officially and on record. The difference is significant.

Yet many caring citizens avoid testifying because:

• They don’t know the process
• They’re unsure what to expect
• They lack clear, step-by-step guidance
• They worry they’re not “qualified” to speak publicly
• They don’t understand how to find bills, committees, or hearing schedules

Testify In Person eliminates every one of these barriers.

What is Testify In Person?

Testify In Person is a practical training manual that walks citizens through:

1. Finding Bills – Navigate FPIW’s legislative updates to identify bills requiring citizen testimony
2. Registering Your Position – Eight simple steps to officially register your stance (Pro, Con, or Other) with the legislature
3. Understanding Committee Structure – Learn how bills move through Senate and House committees, and when public testimony windows open
4. Preparing Your Remarks – Develop clear, compelling, and compliant testimony that committee members will remember
5. Real-World Examples – Study actual bill reports and testimony examples (such as ESSB 5599 on protected health care services for youth) to understand the legislative landscape
6. Attending the Hearing – Know exactly what to expect, when to arrive, what protocol to follow, and how to maintain decorum while advocating firmly for biblical values

The guide includes:

• Easy, step-by-step visual guides with screenshots showing exactly where to click and what information to enter
• Sample Senate and House bills with full legislative analysis and competing testimony from proponents and opponents
• Real public testimony examples that model effective, professional advocacy
• Official Washington State process documentation from wa.gov, adapted for accessibility
• Clear reminders about protocol – how to be respectful, compelling, and non-disruptive while advocating for your position

Key Benefits for Your Organization

1. Amplifies Grassroots Impact

When defenders understand the process and participate, you amplify your organization’s reach. One testimony before committee carries more weight than ten emails. Scale participation by equipping citizens with knowledge.

2. Creates Accountability

Official registration of positions creates a public record. Legislators see that named individuals from their district oppose or support a bill. This is far more impactful than anonymous digital feedback.

3. Removes Barriers to Engagement

Many citizens want to participate but fear the unknown. This guide transforms uncertainty into confidence. New testifiers realize: “Anyone can testify. You do not need formal training.”

4. Builds Informed Advocacy Community

By studying actual bills, their legislative analysis, and sample testimony from both sides, readers understand how to engage substantively—not just emotionally—in policy debates.

5. Supports Your Coalition

Coordinate testimony through FPIW’s legislative updates. When testifiers list “FPIW Defender” as their organization, you track impact and demonstrate grassroots strength to legislators.

6. Strengthens Democratic Participation

Washington State has “one of the most open legislatures in the country.” This guide helps citizens leverage that openness to defend biblical values in the public square.

Who Benefits Most

• Individual Christians concerned about bills affecting their families, faith, or communities
• Church leaders and pastors equipping congregations to engage civically
• Grassroots organizers training networks of defenders
• Policy-focused nonprofits multiplying the impact of their advocacy work
• Parents and educators concerned about bills affecting schools, parental rights, and child welfare
• First-time testifiers overwhelmed by the process but motivated to participate

Real-World Example: How It Works

The guide includes full analysis of ESSB 5599: Protecting Youth Seeking Protected Health Care Services.

Readers see:

• The bill’s text and legislative sponsors
• Committee votes and amendments
• Complete staff analysis explaining provisions
• Professional testimony from both supporters and opponents – this helps citizens understand competing perspectives and craft nuanced responses
• The specific committee, date, and time of the hearing 
• Exactly how to register and testify

Using this as a model, citizens can apply the same framework to any bill affecting biblical values in Washington.

Core Features at a Glance

Why Timing Matters

Bills move quickly through committees. Hearing windows open, then close within days. Citizens who delay miss their chance.

Testify In Person, combined with regular legislative updates from FPIW, ensures defenders stay informed and act decisively.

The guide emphasizes: “There is no guarantee that those who register to testify will be allowed to speak or be able to speak at specific times. Please check Committee Schedules and Documents for updates or changes to committee schedules.”

In other words: act quickly, stay informed, follow the process.

Integration with FPIW’s Broader Strategy

Testify In Person is one pillar of FPIW’s four-part Defender Commitment:

1. PRAY for the public square
2. SIGN initiatives and referendums
3. VOTE for candidates with a biblical worldview
4. ENGAGE by registering your position during session 

This guide equips defenders to excel at #4—direct legislative engagement through testimony.

It pairs naturally with:

• Stumble Free (equipping elected officials to stand firm)
• FPIW’s weekly legislative updates (identifying bills that need testimony)
• FPIW’s financial partnership program (funding the research, analysis, and coordination infrastructure)

Call to Action for Your Audience

Join the FPIW Defender Network

Use Testify In Person to:

1. Master the legislative testimony process
2. Identify bills affecting your family and faith
3. Register your position officially
4. Prepare and deliver compelling testimony
5. Connect with a growing community of biblical-values defenders

Start Today:

• Download Testify In Person
• Subscribe to FPIW’s weekly legislative updates (available at org)
• Attend your first committee hearing
• Register as a FPIW Defender to amplify collective impact

Together, we defend and advance biblical values in the public square—one testimony at a time.

About FPIW

The Family Policy Institute of Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to defend and advance biblical values in the public square. With annual budget needs around $1 million (with growth potential to $1.1–1.5 million to impact every county), FPIW educates, activates, and coordinates Christian citizens to engage the legislative, electoral, and cultural spheres.

Learn more at fpiw.org or fpiwdefender.org.

Defender Commitment

PRAY for the public square
SIGN initiatives and referendums
VOTE for candidates with a biblical worldview
ENGAGE by registering your position during session

To learn how to testify in person, use this guide. To amplify your impact as a financial partner, visit fpiwdefenders.