How a New York City Bill Becomes Law
A Summary of the Rules of the NYC Council
Pursuant to NYC Charter section 28, the Council has the power to adopt local laws. The Rules of the Council provide the procedure by which the Council adopts proposed local laws (also referred to as "bills"). As explained below, a bill can be defeated by a committee, the full Council or the mayor.
Click here for a .pdf version of the Rules of the Council
Click here for a .pdf version of the NYC Charter
1. The Law is Drafted and Introduced
Council Members submit proposed laws ("bills") to Council central staff for confidential legislative drafting services. (Rules of the Council sec. 6.60). Local laws may embrace only one subject. (Id. sec. 6.00). When a draft of the bill is ready for the Council's consideration, the bill is assigned an "introduction number." (Id. sec. 6.09). The bill is posted on the Council's Web site for public inspection. (Id. sec 6.10).
2. The Law is Referred to a Committee and Considered
The Speaker (Christine Quinn) refers the proposed local law to one or two committees to consider and report thereon. (Id. sec. 6.30). (Note: Council staff has stated that the Felder anti-pigeon bill will be referred to the Health Committee.)
3. The Law is Considered by a Committee
Committee meetings are held at the call of the chairperson of the committee. (Id. sec. 7.50(a)). At least 72 hours advance notice of the Committee meeting must be given to the public. (NYC Council Rule sec. 7.50(d)). The Committee chairperson may call public hearings and allow public testimony on the proposed law. (Id. sec. 7.60).
4. The Committee Votes
The committee votes in open session. (Id. sec. 7.70). A committee may recommend to the full Council the passage, adoption, approval or filing of the bill. (Id. at 7.90). If a majority of the committee votes affirmatively, the bill is referred to the Council with a report. (Id.). If a majority of the committee votes negatively, the bill is continued on the calendar until disposed of. (Id.). If a majority of the committee recommends that a bill be filed, the bill is removed from the Council calendar. (Id.). The full Council cannot act on a bill until a majority of the committee votes in favor of it. (NYC Council Rule sec. 7.130).
5. The Full Council Votes
An affirmative vote of the majority of the full Council is required for the pasage of a law. (NYC Charter sec. 34). No local law hall be pased until it has been in its final form on the desks of the council members ar least seven days (not including Sundays) prior to its passage unless the Mayor certifies the necessity for its immediate passage. (Id. sec. 36).
6. The Mayor Approves or Disapproves
If the Mayor approves the local law, he signs it and the law is deemed adopted. (Charter sec. 37(b)). If the Mayor disapproves the bill, he refers it back to the Council. (Id.) The Council refers the proposed law back to the original committee to consider whether the bill should pass despite the objection by the Mayor. (NYC Council Rule sec. 9.10). If the committee votes affirmatively, the bill re-voted on by the Council. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Council is required for the adoption of a law disapproved by the Mayor. (Charter sec. 37(b)).