The Texas Legislature impacts every aspect of our lives as Texans, from property taxes to border security. While most folks know they can call their representatives or show up in person at committee hearings, there’s a powerful tool many Texans don’t know about: electronic testimony submission.
That’s right – you can submit official comments on legislation without ever leaving your home.
Why This Matters to Texas Nationalists
For years, we’ve been fighting an uphill battle to make our voices heard. The establishment politicians in Austin often dismiss our concerns about Federal overreach, excessive taxation, and the erosion of our Texas values. But when hundreds or thousands of Texans flood the record with testimony, they can’t ignore us.
This is a game-changer for our movement. Think about it – how many times have you wanted to speak up on a bill but couldn’t take a day off work to drive to Austin? Now you can make your voice part of the official record in just minutes.
The Texas House’s Electronic Comments System
When COVID hit in 2021, the Texas House launched an online portal allowing citizens to submit written comments electronically. What started as a pandemic measure has become a permanent fixture, giving everyday Texans unprecedented access to the legislative process.
The system is straightforward but not well-publicized – which is why so many TNM supporters have never heard about it. Let’s change that.
Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Electronic Testimony
1. Find the Committee Hearing
First, you need to identify which committee is handling the bill you want to comment on. The TNM typically includes links in Action Alerts and articles for legislative priority bills.
- Visit the Texas Legislature Online website at capitol.texas.gov
- Navigate to the “Committees” section
- Select “House Committees”
- Find the committee overseeing your bill of interest
- Check their schedule for upcoming hearings
2. Access the Hearing Notice
- Click on the specific hearing to view the official notice
- This notice includes the agenda, date, time, and location
3. Locate the Electronic Comments Link
- Within the hearing notice, look for a section with a link for submitting electronic comments (typically at the bottom of the notice)
- These links typically follow this format: comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=XXXX (where XXXX is a committee code)
4. Submit Your Comments
- Click the link to access the House Public Comment portal
- Fill out all required fields, which include:
- Your name
- Contact information
- The bill number or agenda item you’re addressing
- Your position (for, against, or neutral)
- Your written comments
- Submit before the deadline (usually until the hearing adjourns)
5. Confirmation
After submission, your comments become part of the official public record. Committee members receive your input, and it’s accessible via multiple platforms, including the Texas Legislature Online.
Tips for Effective Testimony
- You are representing YOU -When a form asks who you are representing, you must ALWAYS answer “self” and NEVER the “Texas Nationalist Movement” or “The TNM”.
- Be clear and concise – Representatives and staff read hundreds of comments. Get straight to the point.
- Speak from personal experience – Explain how the bill affects you as a Texan. Personal stories have more impact than general opinions.
- Use respectful language – Even when opposing a bill, maintain professionalism. Remember, you’re representing the TNM.
- Reference relevant facts – When possible, include specific data points or facts to strengthen your argument.
- Offer solutions – Don’t just identify problems; suggest improvements or alternatives.
When to Submit
Timing is critical. The TNM will alert members when key bills need your support or opposition. When we issue these calls to action, respond quickly – deadlines for comments vary by hearing and can close suddenly.
For maximum impact, we recommend coordinating submissions through our Legislative Action Team. When hundreds of Texans submit similar testimony on the same day, it sends a powerful message that can’t be ignored.
The Limitations
While this system is powerful, it has limitations. You can only submit written comments, not give live testimony remotely. For verbal testimony, you’ll still need to register in person at the Capitol.
Also, this system is unique to the Texas House – the Senate doesn’t currently offer an equivalent electronic submission process.
The Bottom Line
The establishment knows that most Texans can’t afford to take time off work to drive to Austin and wait hours for a two-minute speaking slot. They’ve counted on this to silence our voices. But this electronic testimony option changes the equation.
Every bill that threatens our Texas sovereignty, every attempt to raise our taxes, every effort to infringe on our rights can now be met with thousands of Texans speaking up in unison.
Our strength has always been in our numbers and our passion. Now we have a new way to turn that passion into direct political action. Let’s use it.
