How a Bill Becomes Law in Philadelphia

A bill in Philadelphia is a proposed ordinance introduced in City Council. Because Philadelphia is a home rule city, Council can legislate on local matters under the Home Rule Charter, within the limits discussed in Home Rule Limits and State Preemption. This guide follows a bill step by step and shows where residents can intervene.^[1]

1 Step 1: Drafting and introduction

Only a member of Council can introduce a bill, but ideas come from many sources: residents, advocacy groups, unions, business associations, and the administration, which often asks a member to introduce its proposals. Council's legislative drafting staff and the Law Department help turn an idea into legal text. A recent example is the Safe and Healthy Homes Act: Bills 250329 and 250330 were introduced in 2025, passed 16-1 on April 23, 2026 after a court settlement sent them back to committee for a new hearing, and were reported signed by Mayor Cherelle Parker on May 7, 2026 (see Safe and Healthy Homes Act). Bills are introduced at a stated meeting of Council, which meets regularly on Thursday mornings while in session and takes a summer recess; check the Legislative Information Center for the calendar. Each bill receives a number and is posted online.

Some matters are not bills but resolutions, which express Council's position, authorize hearings, or honor people, and do not have the force of law. Ordinances amending the Zoning Code, authorizing tax incentives or changing tax rates are all bills.

2 Step 2: Referral to committee

After introduction the President of Council assigns the bill to a standing committee, such as Finance, Law and Government, or Rules; see Council Committees and the Legislative Process. The committee chair controls scheduling, so a bill may be heard promptly, held for months, or never heard. The Council President, currently Kenyatta Johnson (as of 2026), holds substantial control over referral and the floor schedule.

3 Step 3: Hearing and committee vote

Under the Charter, a bill must be considered at a public hearing and a committee meeting before Council can enact it. At the hearing, the sponsor presents the bill, the administration and affected agencies testify, and members of the public may offer testimony. Amendments are often negotiated here. The committee can report the bill out favorably, with amendments, or not at all. Reported bills are printed in their amended form and made available to members and the public before the floor vote. Advance notice requirements apply to certain categories, including zoning bills, which also require review by the City Planning Commission.

4 Step 4: Final passage

Bills reported from committee are placed on the Council calendar for second reading and final passage. Passage requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all members, not merely of those present, which means nine of seventeen votes. Roll-call votes are recorded and posted. Bills that are not enacted generally do not carry over into the next four-year Council term, which produces the "end of term" rush of legislation familiar to local reporters; the Rules of Council govern exactly how pending bills are handled.^[2]

5 Step 5: Mayor signs or vetoes

Passed bills go to the Mayor. Under the Charter a bill becomes law when the Mayor signs it, or when the Mayor lets it become law without a signature after the Charter's review period, which is reported as ten days after a bill is presented to the Mayor (the Charter text controls). If the Mayor vetoes it, Council may override by a two-thirds vote, which is twelve of seventeen members. Signed bills are assigned an ordinance number and published in the Philadelphia Code. Some measures, such as amendments to the Charter itself, must go to voters; see Ballot Questions and Charter Changes.

6 Where residents can act

• Track a bill by number in the Legislative Information Center and read the text, amendments, fiscal notes, and hearing agendas.
• Testify at the committee hearing or comment at a stated meeting: How to Testify at City Council.
• Contact your district member and the at-large members: How to Find Your Elected Officials.
• Submit written comment and organize neighbors: How to Organize a Block or Neighborhood Group.
• Watch for the Mayor's decision after passage; veto messages are public.

Council meetings fall under the Sunshine Act. State law can override city ordinances in some fields, so a local law may be limited or reversed by Harrisburg; see Pennsylvania State Government and Philadelphia. Budget bills follow a particular cycle: Philadelphia City Budget Process.

See also: Councilmanic Prerogative, Council Districts and Wards, How Philadelphia Government Is Organized

References

1. Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, Article II (Legislative Branch), as published by American Legal Publishing (library.amlegal.com).
2. Philadelphia City Council, Legislative Information Center and Rules of Council, phlcouncil.com and phila.legistar.com (accessed October 2026).
3. City of Philadelphia, "City Council," phila.gov (accessed October 2026).