Glossary

A bill is formally filed with the Council and assigned a number. The Speaker sends it to a committee for review.

Council Rules §6.00, §6.30

The bill is under review by one or more committees. They may hold hearings, request fiscal analysis, and eventually vote.

Council Rules §6.30, §7.30, §7.60

A public hearing took place where the public, agencies, and experts could testify about the bill.

Council Rules §7.60

The committee heard the bill but postponed voting on it. It stays on the committee calendar.

Council Rules §7.90

A majority of the committee voted yes. The bill now goes to the full Council for a vote.

Council Rules §7.70, §7.90

The bill is on the Council's agenda, ready for a floor vote. No more committee action needed.

Council Rules §2.10

The full Council passed the bill. Local laws go to the Mayor; resolutions are final.

Council Rules §8.40

Used mainly for land use items. The Council voted yes on the resolution.

Council Rules §11.70

The Council passed it; now the Mayor has 30 days to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

NYC Charter §37

It's now law—either the Mayor signed it or it passed without a signature.

NYC Charter §37

The Mayor didn't sign or veto within 30 days, so it became law automatically.

NYC Charter §37

The Mayor rejected it. The Council can override with a two-thirds vote.

Council Rules §9.10; NYC Charter §37

The bill is dead. A committee recommended killing it, or the sponsor left office.

Council Rules §7.90, §10.10

The four-year Council session ended and the bill never passed. It must be re-introduced next session.

Council Rules §10.10

The sponsor pulled the bill from consideration.

Council Rules §9.90, §11.60(b)

The bill got a vote but failed—more members voted no than yes.

Used for land use and nominations. The Council voted it down.

NYC Charter §197-d

Action postponed. Common for land use items needing more negotiation.

Part of a package—another related bill must pass first.