How to Register as a Witness at a Texas House Hearing

Want to speak up about a bill in the Texas Legislature? You can register to testify at a Texas House Committee hearing without a single paper form. This guide walks you through how to sign up at the Capitol or from your phone before you step up to the mic.

House Witness Registration is the official system for signing up to testify at Texas House Committee hearings. You can register two ways: at a touch screen kiosk in the Capitol Extension (levels 1 and 2), or on your mobile device by connecting to the Capitol's free public Wi-Fi network called Public-Capitol and visiting the registration site. You can also create a personal profile ahead of time to speed things up when you arrive. Keep in mind that even with a saved profile, you must still register for your specific bill on the day of the hearing, in person at the Capitol.

Before your visit, look up the bill number, the committee hearing it, and the time and room of the hearing. Create your profile online in advance so you spend less time at the kiosk. On the day of the hearing, head to the Capitol Extension and either use a touch screen kiosk or connect your phone to the Public-Capitol Wi-Fi and open the registration site at hwrs.house.texas.gov. You can also scan the QR code on any kiosk screen to go straight to the site. If you run into trouble, reach out to the clerk of the committee you want to testify before — they can walk you through the process.

No fixed date

Texas Capitol Extension, Levels 1 and 2 — Austin, Texas

This guide pairs well with information on how to find upcoming Texas House Committee meetings, how to track a bill through the legislature, and how to contact your state representative about issues that matter to your Houston neighborhood.

Testifying at a committee hearing is one of the most direct ways to make your voice heard on a bill. The House has made it easier than ever by going fully paperless. You no longer need to fill out paper slips — registration takes just a few minutes at a kiosk or on your phone.