One of the ways that Texans have to register their position on a specific piece of legislation being considered in either the Texas Senate or the House of Representatives is to “drop a card” at the state Capitol. Equality Texas offers specific instructions below on how to do that.
Type of Action: In-Person (Austin — Capitol)
Time: Est 15 mins
What is “Dropping a Card”?
“Dropping a card” refers to the action of officially registering your stance (opposition or support) on a specific piece of legislation at the Texas Capitol. This action can only be taken when a committee is hearing a bill. Dropping a card logs your stance on a bill and is submitted to the official bill record. Official records accompany the bill as it moves through the Legislature for representatives to review and take into consideration when they place a vote on a bill.
How Do I “Drop a Card”?
Dropping a Card must be done on Capitol grounds through a laptop/tablet/kiosk with a connection to the free Public Capitol WiFi. Luckily for us, the WiFi usually reaches outside the building and you can save some time by doing it from the outside!
Note: This form does not work on smartphones.
A card can only be dropped on the day a bill is being heard by a House or Senate Committee. The bill will be available for registration up to an hour before the committee is scheduled to start and open until public testimony on that bill is complete.
Note: Sometimes the Wi-Fi is awful and you will have to find a kiosk inside if that’s the case. It varies day-to-day. If that happens you can follow the same procedure.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Park at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto Blvd. in Austin. First two hours are free.
2. Log into Capitol Wifi.
The best device to use will be your laptop computer, tablet, or a kiosk. A cell phone will not work with the online portal. Kiosks are available onsite if you don’t have a laptop or tablet.
3. Go to the House or Senate Witness Registration Page for House Bills (HB ##) or Senate Bills (SB ##). Below is the first page you will see. Click the “Begin” button on the bottom of the page.
Note: The screenshots below are from the House website. Senate bills will follow a similar format.
Step 1: Select your Committee Hearing or Search for the Bill
You’ll see a page full of committee hearings happening on this day, be sure to click “Select” on the item you’re looking for.If you don’t know what committee your bill is being heard in you can select “Find a Bill.”
Note: Select “Page Down” if you do not immediately see the bill you’re looking to register a position for.
Step 2: Agenda Item Selection
Once you find the committee or bill, click the “Register” button next to that item. A pop-up window will appear.
Step 2b: Make a selection based on: (1) your position on a bill; and (2) whether or not you plan to testify
Select “Against” if it’s a bill you’re opposing; select “For” if it’s a bill you’re supporting. Additionally be sure to select “Testify” if you plan to speak to legislative representatives about the bill or select “Not Testify” if you simply want to submit your position on a bill and not speak to legislative representatives (aka “Drop a Card”).
Note: “Dropping a Card,” at its core, means registering your position without testifying.
Step 3: Provide Contact Information
Enter all of your contact information. Select “Next” when completed.
Step 4: State your Representation
Unless you have explicit permission to represent an organization, you will select “No.” It will ask for your occupation, so simply put whatever title you identify with best (e.g. Student, parent, teacher, counselor, etc.),
Step 5: Acknowledgement
Click on the box to acknowledge that all the information you have submitted is correct and that you are the person you say you are, present in the Capitol Complex, and that you electronically approve this form
Note: You can only “Drop a Card” on your own behalf.
