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The Ten Steps of A Council Bill
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Step 1:
A bill must first be signed and dated by all the members introducing it to the Council. If the introduction was “requested,” the name and address of the persons requesting the introduction of the bill must be attached. Additionally, any private interest bill must be accompanied by a fact sheet stating the names and addresses for each owner, developer or person seeking the legislation.
Step 2:
The bill is presented to the Chief Clerk, who will read the title aloud and hand the bill to the President.
Step 3:
The President, with the approval of the Majority Leader, will assign the bill to the appropriate committee for consideration.
Step 4:
The committee may amend the bill, except that it cannot change its subject or purpose. The committee then seeks relevant information and opinions on the bill at a public hearing. Anyone who wishes to testify on the matter may be heard. Any member of the Administration who wishes to testify shall provide the members of the City Council with their testimony, in writing, at least two business days before the hearing.
Note: A notice, giving the title of the bill to be discussed and the time, date and place of the public hearing, will be advertised at least five days prior to the public hearing in two daily newspaper of largest paid circulation (Historically the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News).
Step 5:
The committee then holds a public meeting to discuss the bill. Discussion is to be between committee members only, although attendance of the meeting is open to the public.
Note: A notice, giving the time, date and place of a public meeting to determine actions of a committee on a bill referred to it, will be advertised at least three days prior to the time of the public meeting in a newspaper of general circulation (Historically the Philadelphia Inquirer).
Step 6:
Only the chairperson of the committee can call for motions regarding a bill; and if the motion is seconded (supported by another member of the committee), a vote is taken and the decided action is taken.
The committee may vote to recommend the bill to be reported to the Council or the committee may vote to recommend the bill to be disapproved.
Note: All records and transcript of public hearings and meetings, as well as copies of any bill, are available to the public at the Chief Clerk’s office.
Step 7:
If the committee recommends the bill to be disapproved, the word “DISAPPROVED” is written above the title of the bill. A disproved bill may still be placed on the calendar by a majority vote of all the members of the Council.
If approved, the chairperson of the committee must report the bill to the Council for consideration within at least two meetings. A notice of any bill reported from committee will be advertised by title at least five days before the bill comes up for final consideration.
Note: A bill under consideration by the Council may be withdrawn to the committee at the request of the bill’s sponsor.
Step 8:
Every bill will be read on two separate days in open Council meetings.
On first reading the Chief Clerk will state the title of the bill, without amendment or debate. (Bills are read in the order in which they appear on the calendar)
A bill will only be considered for second reading and final passage calendar if called for by a Council member. On second reading the Chief Clerk will read the bill. After reading, the bill is then subject to amendments, which cannot change the bill’s original purpose.
Note: If a bill is not called up for four stated meeting it will be sent back to committee.
Step 9:
An amended bill is reprinted and placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next meeting.
A bill ready for vote on final passage is announced by the President, then a vote taken.
A bill requires a majority of all Council members voting in its favor to be passed.
Step 10:
If a bill fails to receive a majority vote of all Council members, any two members who voted against it may move for reconsideration of such bill at the next stated meeting.
If a motion for reconsideration is successful the bill is placed on the final passage calendar at the next stated meeting.
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