So you want to speak out about a bill—now what? We’ve made an easy template for you to use when you’re writing online comments or giving in-person testimony! (See our guide for how to submit online comment here)
We recommend you keep your statement to 1 page, single-spaced. This will keep it under the word limit for online comment AND make it usable in short-time-limit testimony (3 minutes).
This is just a template to make it easier to get started with writing your thoughts. Please customize it to best fit your story.
Template:
[Committee name] Committee chairperson and members,
My name is [your name], and I am from [city]. I believe in a Nebraska that is equal to all and where we all can live, work, play, and learn without discrimination. That is why I am urging you to oppose/support [bill number].
[Bill number] would [summarize what the bill does. You can use summarizes from organizations you trust, like OutNebraska, to help you quickly explain the overall impact.]
[Say here why this matters to you, your family, and/or your business. How would it impact your job? Your family? Your ability to access medical or mental health care? Who do you know who would be affected?]
[Give 2 reasons or a personal story]
This bill would greatly help/harm myself, my friends, and my community. Nebraska thrives when everyone can show up as their full selves, and this bill would help/harm this goal.
Please, support/oppose this bill. Thank you for your time, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Respectfully,
[Your name]