Quiz

Ten questions from Taking part. Each answer says why. Your answers stay in your browser.

Mixed Your local governments Property tax and local money The Legislature Bills & amendments On the floor The funnel The budget Elections Money & lobbying Taking part Code & costs

1. How long should your remarks at a subcommittee meeting be?About two minutesFifteen minutesAs long as you like

Time is short and the chair decides who speaks, so write about two minutes, starting with your name, where you live and why it matters to you.

2. What’s the best place for a member of the public to speak on a bill?The floor debateA subcommittee meetingThe Governor’s office

Subcommittee meetings are open and usually take public comment. Notice is often only a day, which is why alerts help.

3. Do full committees and the floor take public testimony?Yes, alwaysGenerally not: there, the way in is your own legislators

Full committees, the floor and conference committees generally don’t take public testimony. A call, an email or a note to your own legislators is the way in.

4. At a city council’s public comment time, how long should you plan to speak?About three minutesHalf an hourOne sentence

Give your name and address and keep it to about three minutes. Comments on an item that’s on the agenda carry the most weight.

5. You can’t attend a subcommittee meeting. What can you do?NothingSend a written comment through the Legislature’s formCall the Governor

The Legislature has a written comment form for each meeting, linked in Iowa Funnel. Names and comments are public records.

6. Why watch a council’s work session if it doesn’t take comments?It’s the best preview of what’s comingThat’s where the final votes areIt’s closed to the public

Work sessions are open to watch and are the best preview. If something concerns you, email the members before the item reaches a regular meeting.

7. When are public hearings on major bills usually held?In the evening at the Capitol, with sign-up in advanceOnly onlineDuring floor debate

Public hearings on major bills are usually in the evening at the Capitol. You sign up in advance to speak for a few minutes.

8. Who often speaks first at a subcommittee meeting?Lobbyists registered on the billThe Governor’s staffReporters

Lobbyists registered on the bill often speak first; the chair usually then asks the public.

9. What makes a message to a legislator most useful?A long letter about many issuesA short note that names the bill number and says where you live

Legislators weigh messages from their own constituents most, and a bill number makes it clear what you mean.

10. After you speak at a subcommittee, what should you do?Nothing moreThank the members, repeat your ask, and keep following the bill

Thank the members by email and repeat your ask in a sentence. The full committee usually acts within a few weeks.

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