Committee of the Whole

Conducts hearings and public meetings on proposed bills and issues concerning the City of Philadelphia.

Council is the legislative arm of Philadelphia municipal government. Ten Councilmembers are elected by district and seven from the City-at-large, for a total of seventeen members. Under the rules of Council, regular public sessions of Council are held weekly, usually on Thursday morning at 10:00 AM., in Room 400, City Hall.

Every proposed ordinance is in the form of a bill introduced by a Councilmember. Before a bill can be enacted by Council, it must be:

• Referred by the President of Council to an appropriate standing committee of Council,
• Considered at a public hearing and public meeting, reported out by the committee,
• Printed as reported by the committee,
• Distributed to the members of Council,
• And made available to the public.

Passage of a bill requires the favorable vote of a majority of all members of Council. A bill becomes law upon the approval of the Mayor. If the Mayor vetoes a bill, Council may override the veto by a two-thirds vote.

The functions of City Council influence a wide range of public affairs in Philadelphia and directly impact the quality of life for its citizenry.