How to Testify at City Council

Testifying at City Council means addressing the legislature of Philadelphia, either in public comment at a full stated meeting or in testimony at a committee hearing. Both are open to the public under the Sunshine Act. The rules below reflect Council's published procedures as of 2026; always confirm on phlcouncil.com or with the Chief Clerk before going.^[1]

1 Step 1: Pick the bill and the venue

Identify the bill or resolution number you care about using the Legislative Information Center (see How a Bill Becomes Law in Philadelphia). Where a bill is in the process decides your best venue. If it has not yet had a hearing, committee testimony is where amendments are shaped; if it is on the full Council's agenda, public comment at a stated meeting is available. Public comment at stated meetings applies only to items printed on that meeting's agenda.^[2]

2 Step 2: Sign up

For a stated meeting, Council's procedures allow three routes:

1. Call the Chief Clerk's Office at 215-686-3406.
2. Email your registration or written comment to the address published on Council's public-comment page, by 3 p.m. the day before the meeting. Written comments are best sent as a PDF; they are recorded but not read aloud.
3. In person on the day: check in at the desk in Room 400, City Hall.

Provide your full name (with the pronunciation if needed), the bill or resolution number, whether you support or oppose it, and your contact phone number and street address. If you need an interpreter or other accommodation, tell the Chief Clerk's Office when you register. Language-access information is also posted on Council's site.

3 Step 3: Prepare your remarks

• Be short. Speakers receive up to three minutes at stated meetings; the Council President may shorten the time or limit repetitive comment. About 350 to 400 words fits in three minutes.
• Open with your name, neighborhood, and the bill number, and say whether you support or oppose it.
• Make one to three points, each with a specific fact, number, or personal example.
• Ask for something concrete: pass, amend, or reject, and name the amendment if you have one.
• Bring written copies for the record and for staff.
• Group testimony: coordinate so speakers do not repeat each other; see How to Organize a Block or Neighborhood Group.

4 Step 4: On the day

Stated meetings of City Council are generally held on Thursday mornings during session. Arrive early, pass building security, and check in. Public comment is typically taken near the start of the meeting's business. Address the presiding officer, speak into the microphone, and stop when time is called. Council members generally do not debate public speakers; members may ask brief questions. Meetings are also broadcast and archived online, so you can share your testimony afterward.

5 Committee hearings

Committee hearings are where most substantive testimony happens. Hearings are noticed on Council's calendar, normally with the bill list for the day. Rules for registering vary by committee and may differ from stated meetings, so call the Chief Clerk's Office or the committee chair's office to confirm how to be added to the witness list and how much time you receive. Experts, agencies, and advocacy groups often testify first; residents commonly follow. Written testimony may be submitted in addition to or in place of speaking. Committees and their jurisdictions are described in Council Committees and the Legislative Process. Budget hearings in spring are a major opportunity; see Philadelphia City Budget Process and How to Read the City Budget.

6 After you testify

• Email your district member and the committee chair a short thank-you with your key request. Find them via How to Find Your Elected Officials.
• Watch for amendments and the committee vote.
• If the bill passes, the Mayor can sign or veto; see Mayor of Philadelphia.
• Other bodies hold their own meetings, such as the City Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Board of Education, each with its own public-comment rules.

See also: Councilmanic Prerogative, Right-to-Know Law and Public Records, Council Districts and Wards

References

1. Philadelphia City Council, "Offering Public Comment at Council Sessions," phlcouncil.com/offering-public-comment-at-council-sessions/ (accessed October 2026).
2. The Philadelphia Citizen / Resolve Philly, "Demystifying public comment: your step-by-step guide for Philly meetings."
3. Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S. 701 et seq.