How to Register as a Witness at Texas House Hearings

Want to speak at a Texas House committee hearing? You can register as a witness without filling out a single paper form. Use a touch-screen kiosk at the Texas Capitol Extension or your own phone connected to the Capitol's free Wi-Fi. Setting up a profile before you go makes the process faster once you arrive.

The Texas House of Representatives runs a digital witness registration system called House Witness Registration. Instead of paper forms, you register through touch-screen kiosks in the Capitol Extension or through a website you open on your phone while connected to the Capitol's free wireless network (called Public-Capitol). You can build a reusable profile in advance to save time. When you arrive, you still need to check in on-site for the specific bill you want to address.

Before your visit, gather three key pieces of information: the correct bill number, the name of the committee hearing the bill, and the time and location of that hearing. Create your profile online ahead of time so you spend less time at the kiosk. On the day of the hearing, connect your phone to the Public-Capitol Wi-Fi network inside the Capitol, then open a browser and go to hwrs.house.texas.gov — or scan the QR code on any kiosk. Complete your on-site registration for the specific bill. If you run into trouble, reach out to the clerk of the committee you plan to testify before.

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Texas Capitol Extension, Levels 1 and 2 (Austin, TX); also accessible on your mobile device via the Capitol's free public Wi-Fi

Witness registration is just one part of the committee hearing process. Before you register, check the Texas House website for upcoming committee meeting schedules so you know exactly when and where your bill will be heard. If you are new to the Capitol, building maps and visitor guides can help you find the Capitol Extension kiosks quickly.

Your voice matters in the lawmaking process. Registering as a witness lets you officially testify — or simply go on record — about a bill before a House committee decides what to do with it. The paperless system makes it easier and faster than ever to participate.