How to Advocate at the Texas Legislature

Watch the training

Below is our training video, grab a pen and paper to take notes and click play. A lot of the information you will see in the video is also in text below the video. Thanks so much for taking the time to learn how to get engaged with the Texas Lege!

Important Dates

Nov 11th Bill Filing begins

Jan 14th – First Day of Session

March 12 – the 60th Day and last day bills can be filed

June 2nd – Sine Die Last Day of session

September 1 – Most bills become law

The Key Players of the Texas Legislature

  • Governor: the State head of the Executive Branch
  • Lt. Governor: In the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor presides. This position is unique because the Lieutenant Governor is elected statewide, not by the senators. They’re one of the most powerful figures in Texas politics, controlling the flow of legislation in the Senate and making key committee assignments.
  • Speaker of the House: the Speaker of the House is elected by the representatives at the start of each session. The Speaker sets the agenda, appoints committee chairs, and plays a major role in deciding which bills move forward.

The Key Issues for Mothers Against Greg Abbott

  • Public Education
  • Women’s Healthcare
  • LGBTQ Rights
  • Gun Safety
  • Voting Rights
  • Border/Immigration
  • Energy/Environment

How does a bill become a law?

Who advocates at the Texas lege and their roles

Lobbyist: Represent specific interests to lawmakers. May help write bills.

Advocates: Take direct action, meet with lawmakers, and testify for or against policies

Supporters: Engage passively—sign petitions, share content on social media.

General Public:  Aware of the issues but remain largely uninvolved

Find your legislator

  1. Go to: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/
  2. Input your mailing address linked with your voter registration to find your elected representatives.
  3. A map showing your location, and elected officials ranging from State Lawmakers to Congressional Officials appears. By clicking on their names, you can access their contact information.

How to engage with your Representatives

  • Call their office at the Capitol or District Office
  • Send an email
  • Send a letter
  • Make appointment to visit them in their office

How to start building relationships with legislators?

Personal connections are key to influencing decisions.

Tips for Success: 

  • Attend district events to demonstrate engagement.
  • Find common ground with lawmakers.
  • Share your story to become a resource for your cause.


Know Your Official: 

  • Are they a Supporter, Bystander or Non-Supporter on your issue?
  • Understand their background, connections, and district priorities.


Remember: 

  • Respect and rapport go a long way.
  • Advocacy is a marathon—don’t give up after one attempt!
  • Advocacy isn’t limited to the legislative session—engage year-round.


Key tips: 

  • Attend district events and show you’re engaged. 
  • Find common ground with your lawmaker. 
  • Become a resource for your cause and share your story!

How to interact with staff

  • Never turn down a meeting with a staff member.
  • During Session: Legislators are busy—staff often take meetings.
  • Staff are policy advisors and can become allies.
  • Be professional, polite, and mindful of their time.
  • Come prepared with your personal contact information to share with staff, a business card or letter with contact information.


Staff are critical to advancing your advocacy efforts—build strong relationships!

Tips for preparing to meet with Legislator or staff

  • Review your goals: why you would like to meet with your Legislator and what you hope to achieve.
  • Make an appointment with your legislator by contacting their office and explaining why you would like to meet with them. Try their Capitol and district offices, and be sure to meet with either of them depending on your ability to travel.
  • Be on time for your appointment.
  • Be prepared with your materials supporting your position.
  • Stay on topic.
  • Communicate the impact on the legislator’s constituents and ask for action.
  • Follow up with a Thank You email outlining points you made and thanking them for their time.

How to track a bill

  1. Go to Texas Legislature website
    Desktop Version
    Mobile Version
  2. Select Legislature Session on a desktop or Bill Lookup on mobile-friendly website.
  3. Enter a keyword or bill number
  4. Press Go
  5. Or under Additional Searches, you enter a Bill search or Bill Lookup.

How to find out what’s happening at the Capitol

Easiest way is to go to:

DESKTOP: https://capitol.texas.gov/

MOBILE: https://capitol.texas.gov/mytlo/mobile

All the activity for the day is listed in the following categories:

  • Today’s Calendars
  • Today’s Meetings
  • Today’s Filed Bills
  • Today’s Votes
  • Video Broadcasts

How to Drop a Card

“Drop a Card” refers to registering your position on a bill at the Texas Capitol. This only happens during the Committee Hearing phase of the bill.

  • Dropping a Card must be done in person on the Capitol Wi-Fi or at one of the kiosks by the Committee Hearing Rooms.
  • This is only available the day a bill is being heard by the Committee. You can register an hour before the Committee begins until public testimony is over.
  • Remember parking is free for two hours at Visitor Garage.
  • You can register for a position and note if you are For, Against, or Neutral on a bill and if you plan to testify.
  • This is usually quick, 15 minutes or less if you plan accordingly.

Tips For Testifying In Person At the Capitol

  • Verify that the Committee hearing is on the calendars and they are calling for public testimony.
  • Wear business attire or whatever you are most confident wearing.
  • Make a plan to park close by. The Capitol Visitor Parking Garage is at 12th and Trinity, as well as street-metered parking and also close by parking garages.
  • There are four main entrances to the Capitol: North, South, East and West. All should be open and you will have to walk through security. It is usually fast but don’t be surprised by lines.
  • There are maps you can print out or look at before you go here: https://tspb.texas.gov/plan/maps/maps.html
  • You will need to find a Kiosk to register to speak. You can find those in the new extension by the committee hearing rooms. Go here to for Witness Registration Information and video: HOUSE: https://house.texas.gov/committees/witness-registration and Senate: https://senate.texas.gov/av-live.php
  • You can “drop a card” and not register to speak or register to speak.
  • Be prepared for a long day. Arrive early, but expect public testimony at the end of the committee session. Sometimes, this can be short, but it is often hours long. Pack snacks or bring money for food and drink at the Capitol Grill.
  • You can register for the Wi-Fi at the Capitol. Select: Public-Capitol
  • Prepare your statement. Make sure you have a 2-3 minute version rehearsed. You will see people practicing their statements in the hallway.
  • Be nice, respectful, and courteous.
  • Bring enough copies of your testimony or facts for each committee member
  • Be personal, share how the legislation will impact you, your family, or your community.
  • Don’t be afraid to be unique and not repeat what others have already said.
  • Follow up afterward with an email to committee members the next day.

Keep in Contact with your Legislator

  • Follow them on social media.
  • Join their email list to get frequent updates from them.
  • Send emails occasionally communicating any changes on an issue.
  • Write a handwritten letter.
  • Call periodically to see if there has been an update on an issue or bill.

Write Letters to the Editor

People still love reading Letters to the Editor.

This is usually where the best local scoop is posted in the newspaper. We need to discuss all sides of the issue. It’s an effective way of communicating and influencing public opinion and staff and Legislators read Letters to the Editor daily!

Please take our Letters to the Editor Training here:

https://mothersagainstgregabbott.com/writing-letters-to-the-editor/

Lift on Social Media

There are many ways to lift a cause or Legislator on social media.

Here’s a few ideas:

  • Follow and repost
  • Share information you know with friends and family either in person, face to face, or on social media
  • Mothers Against Greg Abbott will be sharing social media toolkits on issues throughout the legislative session, go here to see all the kits: https://mothersagainstgregabbott.com/get-social/

Join Mothers Rapid Response Team

Go here and join our Rapid Response Team to get emails and texts about important Lege Advocacy opportunities:

https://forms.gle/UvBttip58J9dweRi7