Introduction
	Commission Members
	Policy Documents
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	Serving on the Commission
	Providing Public Input to the Commission

PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY
(Updated 10/17/07)

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is committed to allowing adequate time to consider public input prior to decisions, as well as to improve the ability of the Commission to move through its lengthy agendas.

This procedure will provide for public testimony on rule amendments at the same meeting that staff briefs the Commission. The public will have the opportunity to hear the staff presentation prior to making comments. The Commission will also be able to thoroughly consider the public comments in light of the staff report and prior to voting on the proposal. In most cases, final Commission decisions will be scheduled for the next meeting.

The Commission remains committed to providing the public with the opportunity to speak to the various issues of interest and concern. "Open Public Input" will remain a regular agenda item to discuss issues not otherwise on the agenda.

SIGN-UP SHEET
Please complete a "Public Testimony" form if you want to provide testimony (available at the meeting registration table). Submit your completed form to the Commission representative at the registration table PRIOR to the start of discussion of that agenda item.

AGENDA
Public testimony is accepted only during those agenda items designated for "Public Input," and during "Open Public Input" portions of the agenda (Open Public Input is usually scheduled twice per meeting day; once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for items not on the agenda). Be aware that items may be taken out of order, and that the times listed are estimates only.

TESTIMONY
Due to extensive participation at Commission meetings, your opportunity to give testimony to the full Commission may be limited. To provide a fair opportunity for everyone to be heard, please abide by the following ground rules:

Review pertinent information provided at the registration table.

Complete a "Public Testimony" form and submit at the registration table PRIOR to the start of discussion of that agenda item.

If you have written material you wish to provide to the Commissioners, please give 13 copies to the Commission representative when you sign up to speak.

Speakers will have 3 minutes to speak. (A timer will beep to indicate when your three minutes are up.)

Your testimony time cannot be given to another speaker.

Summarize rather than read written material.

Address the Commission and the issues, not the other speakers or staff.

Consider others' time by limiting your comments to new issues. If you agree with points made by previous speakers, simply acknowledge that and please move on to new information.

Don't repeat material you have previously submitted in writing; provide new material or verbally re-frame written material to promote a deeper understanding of your points.