(a) Subject to the limitations specified in §§ 1-206.01 to 1-206.04, the legislative power granted to the District by this chapter is vested in and shall be exercised by the Council in accordance with this chapter. In addition, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all functions granted to or imposed upon, or vested in or transferred to the District of Columbia Council, as established by Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967, shall be carried out by the Council in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The Council shall have authority to create, abolish, or organize any office, agency, department, or instrumentality of the government of the District and to define the powers, duties, and responsibilities of any such office, agency, department, or instrumentality.
(c) The Council shall adopt and publish rules of procedures which shall include provisions for adequate public notification of intended actions of the Council.
(d) Every act shall be published and codified upon becoming law as the Council may direct.
(e) An act passed by the Council shall be presented by the Chairman of the Council to the Mayor, who shall, within 10 calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) after the act is presented to him, either approve or disapprove such act. If the Mayor shall approve such act, he shall indicate the same by affixing his signature thereto, and such act shall become law subject to the provisions of § 1-206.02(c). If the Mayor shall disapprove such act, he shall, within 10 calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) after it is presented to him, return such act to the Council setting forth in writing his reasons for such disapproval. If any act so passed shall not be returned to the Council by the Mayor within 10 calendar days after it shall have been presented to him, the Mayor shall be deemed to have approved it, and such act shall become law subject to the provisions of § 1-206.02(c) unless the Council by a recess of 10 days or more prevents its return, in which case it shall not become law. If, within 30 calendar days after an act has been timely returned by the Mayor to the Council with his disapproval, two-thirds of the members of the Council present and voting vote to reenact such act, the act so reenacted shall become law subject to the provisions of § 1-206.02(c).
(f) In the case of any budget act adopted by the Council pursuant to § 1-204.46 and submitted to the Mayor in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, the Mayor shall have power to disapprove any items or provisions, or both, of such act and approve the remainder. In any case in which the Mayor so disapproves of any item or provision, he shall append to the act when he signs it a statement of the item or provision which he disapproves, and shall, within such 10-day period, return a copy of the act and statement with his objections to the Council. If, within 30 calendar days after any such item or provision so disapproved has been timely returned by the Mayor to the Council, two-thirds of the members of the Council present and voting vote to reenact any such item or provision, such item or provision so reenacted shall be transmitted by the Chairman to the President of the United States. In any case in which the Mayor fails to timely return any such item or provision so disapproved to the Council, the Mayor shall be deemed to have approved such item or provision not returned, and such item or provision not returned shall be transmitted by the Chairman to the President of the United States. In the case of any budget act for a fiscal year which is a control year (as defined in § 47-393(4)), this subsection shall apply as if the reference in the second sentence to “ten-day period” were a reference to “five-day period” and the reference in the third sentence to “thirty calendar days” were a reference to “5 calendar days.”
CREDIT(S)
(Dec. 24, 1973, 87 Stat. 787, Pub. L. 93-198, title IV, § 404; Oct. 27, 1978, 92 Stat. 2023, Pub. L. 95-526; Apr. 17, 1995, 109 Stat. 116, Pub. L. 104-8, § 202(f)(2).)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-227.
1973 Ed., § 1-144.
Temporary Amendments of Section
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Temporary Act of 1996 (D.C. Law 11-214, April 9, 1997, law notification 44 DCR 2409).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Temporary Act of 1997 (D.C. Law 12-80, March 24, 1998, law notification 45 DCR 2115).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Temporary Act of 1998 (D.C. Law 12-214, April 13, 1999, law notification 46 DCR 3836).
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary enactment of reorganization plan to consolidate all psychiatric services provided to inmates at the D.C. Jail and the Lorton Correctional Facility within the DOC, see § 3 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Congressional Review Emergency Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-57, March 31, 1997, 44 DCR 2226), and see § 3 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Emergency Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-201, December 10, 1997, 44 DCR 7600).
For temporary transfer of the Bureau of Correctional Services from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Corrections, see § 2 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Congressional Review Emergency Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-57, March 31, 1997, 44 DCR 2226), §§ 2-3 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Emergency Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-201, December 10, 1997, 44 DCR 7600), and §§ 2-3 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Emergency Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-510, November 10, 1998, 45 DCR 8149).
For temporary reorganization of the Department of Human Services to transfer the Bureau of Correctional Services from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Corrections, see §§ 2-3 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Emergency Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-510, November 10, 1998, 45 DCR 8149), and §§ 2-3 of the Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Congressional Review Emergency Act of 1999 (D.C. Act 13-8, February 8, 1999, 46 DCR 2313).
For temporary (90 day) addition of section, see § 1022 of Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2011 (D.C. Act 19-93, June 29, 2011, 58 DCR 5599).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of title D of article VI of D.C. Res. 19-1, see § 401(b) of Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-298, January 29, 2012, 59 DCR 683).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of article I of D.C. Res. 19-281, see § 401(p) of Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-298, January 29, 2012, 59 DCR 683).
Legislative History of Laws
Law 12-256, the “Reorganization Plan No. 5 for the Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections Act of 1998,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-452, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on the first and second readings on December 1, 1998, and December 15, 1998, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on December 29, 1998, it was assigned Act No. 12-606 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-256 became effective on April 20, 1999.
Law 12-261, the “Second Omnibus Regulatory Reform Amendment Act of 1998,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-845, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Bill was adopted on the first and second readings on December 1, 1998 and December 15, 1998, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on December 31, 1998, it was assigned Act No. 12-615 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-261 became effective on April 20, 1999.
Resolutions
Resolution 19-1, the “Rules for the Council of the District of Columbia, Council Period 19 Resolution of 2011”, effective January 3, 2011, as amended by D.C. Resolution 19-281, § 3, effective November 1, 2011, and D.C. Law 19-124, § 501(b), effective April 27, 2012, provides as follows:
ARTICLE I--DEFINITIONS.
101. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of these Rules, the term:
(1) “Agency” means any of the organizational units of the District of Columbia including, but not limited to, departments, boards, divisions, commissions, and offices, whether subordinate to or independent of the Mayor; except that “agency” shall not include the Council or the District of Columbia courts.
(2) “Auditor” means the Auditor of the District of Columbia as established by section 455 of the Charter (D.C. Official Code § 47-117).
(3) “Bill” means a proposed act of the Council.
(4) “Borrowing request” means a borrowing request submitted by the Mayor to the Council pursuant to section 10 of the Funds Control Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-309).
(5) “Budget” or “budget request” means the entire request for appropriations and loans or spending authority for all activities of all agencies, the Council and the District of Columbia courts, financed from all existing or proposed resources including both operating and capital expenditures.
(6) “Budget of the Council” means the entire request for appropriations by the Council.
(7) “Budget structure resolution” means a resolution submitted by the Mayor to the Council pursuant to section 9 of the Funds Control Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-308).
(8) “Ceremonial resolution” means an expression of appreciation, an honorarium of limited application, or a declaration of no legal effect, which is adopted without objection.
(9) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, as established by section 401 of the Charter (D.C. Official Code § 1-204.01).
(10) “Charter” means title IV of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 774; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.01 et seq.).
(11) “Comprehensive Plan” means the comprehensive plan for the National Capital, including any elements of the plan, as provided in section 423 of the Charter (D.C. Official Code § 1-204.23).
(12) “Control budget act” means an act submitted for consideration by the Council pursuant to section 8 of the Funds Control Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-307) to establish a control budget for the District of Columbia government or to establish as part of a control budget grants awarded during the fiscal year.
(13) “Council” means the Council of the District of Columbia established by section 401 of the Charter (D.C. Official Code § 1-204.01).
(14) “Council fiscal impact statement” means an analysis of the fiscal ramifications of the legislation to the Budget and Financial Plan of the District of Columbia, in accordance with requirements stipulated by the Council Budget Director, which is certified by the Budget Director, appointed pursuant to Rule 264.
(15) “Council Period” means the legislative session of the Council beginning at noon on January 2nd of each odd-numbered year and ending at noon on January 2nd of the following odd-numbered year.
(16) Council website means the website with the address ofhttp://www.dccouncil.us.
(17) “Engrossing” or “engrossment” means the process by which there is finally prepared the text of a bill that has passed any reading prior to final reading.
(18) “Enrolling” or “enrollment” means the process by which there is finally prepared the text of a measure that has passed final reading.
(19) “Executive Branch” means the Office of the Mayor and any office, department, division, board, commission, or agency under the administrative authority of the Mayor.
(20) “Funds Control Act” means the District of Columbia Funds Control Act of 1980, effective September 26, 1980 (D.C. Law 3-104; D.C. Official Code § 47-381 et seq.).
(21) “Grant application” means any grant application required to be submitted by the Mayor to the Council pursuant to section 6 of the Funds Control Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-385).
(22) “Gross planning budget resolution” means the gross planning budget resolution submitted by the Mayor for approval by the Council pursuant to section 7 of the Funds Control Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-306).
(23) “Legal holiday” means a legal public holiday of the District of Columbia or the United States as set forth in D.C. Official Code § 28-2701.
(24) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia as established by section 421 of the Charter (D.C. Official Code § 1-204.21).
(25) “Measure” means a proposed act, resolution, or amendment to a proposed act or resolution, a motion pending before the Council or before a committee of the Council, a proposed reorganization plan, reprogramming request, non-offsetting budget modification request, grant application, proposed state plan, contract, or proposed municipal regulation transmitted by law to the Council for its approval.
(26) “Meeting” means the formal convening of a committee or the Council, other than solely for the purpose of receiving testimony, held at a designated time and place for the purpose of transacting public business, including official action of any kind.
(27) “Member” means a member of the Council established by section 401 of the Charter (D.C. Official Code § 1-204.01) and includes the Chairman, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(28) “Normal business hours” means 9:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
(29) “Official action” has the same meaning as in section 742 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act , approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 774; D.C. Official Code § 1-207.42).
(30) “Person” means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, or any other organization.
(31) “Reading” means, within the meaning of section 412 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12), an opportunity for the Members to debate and vote on proposed legislation at a regular or additional legislative meeting of the Council. A reconsideration of legislation after it has been transmitted to the Mayor is considered a “reading” where there has been at least 13 days intervening between the last reading of the legislation and the reconsideration date.
(32) “Recess of the Council” means periods of time during which regularly scheduled meetings of the Council are not held; i.e., the month of August through September 15th, the 9-day period beginning on the Friday immediately preceding Easter, the 17-day period beginning on July 15th of each year, and the 9-day period ending on December 31st of each year.
(33) “Remuneration” means the rate or level of compensation to be paid an employee for the performance of his or her duties up to and including, but no more than, the maximum authorized and appropriated by law.
(34) “Reprogramming Policy Act” means the Reprogramming Policy Act of 1980, effective September 16, 1980 (D.C. Law 3-100; D.C. Official Code § 47-361 et seq.).
(35) “Reprogramming request” means any reprogramming request or budget modification submitted to the Council pursuant to sections 4 and 5, respectively, of the Reprogramming Policy Act (D.C. Official Code §§ 47-363 and 364).
(36) “Resolution” means an expression of a simple determination, decision, or direction of the Council of a special or temporary character and includes actions of the Council concerning its internal management and conduct.
(37) “Short title” means the term by which an act or resolution may be cited.
(38) “State plan approval request” means a request to approve a state plan submitted by the Mayor to the Council pursuant to section 6 of the Funds Control Act (D.C. Official Code § 47-385).
(39) “Subpoena” means subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum, or both.
(40) “Transcription” means a verbatim recordation, including a tape recording.
ARTICLE II--ORGANIZATION.
201. OATH OF OFFICE.
(a) On January 2nd of each odd-numbered year, members of the Council whose terms begin at that time shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States and faithfully to discharge the office of member of the Council. The oath of office to the Councilmembers shall be administered by a legally authorized person of the member's choice. The Secretary to the Council shall supply printed copies of the oath, which shall be subscribed by the members and returned to the Secretary and recorded in the Council records as conclusive proof of the fact that the signer took the oath in accordance with law.
(b) A member of the Council whose term of office does not begin at the beginning of a Council Period shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation described above as soon as practicable after he or she has been duly certified as having been elected or selected for the position.
202. CODE OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT.
(a) Councilmembers and Council staff shall maintain a high level of ethical conduct in connection with the performance of their official duties and shall refrain from taking, ordering, or participating in any official action that would adversely affect the confidence of the public in the integrity of the District government. Council members shall strive to act solely in the public interest and not for any personal gain or take an official action on a matter as to which he or she has a potential conflict of interest created by a personal, family, client, or business interest, avoiding both actual and perceived conflicts of interest and preferential treatment.
(b) Councilmembers and Council staff shall take full responsibility for understanding and complying with the letter and spirit of all laws and regulations governing standards of conduct for District public officials, including those relating to conduct, conflicts of interest, gifts, disclosures, campaign finance, political activity, and freedom of information.
(c) Councilmembers and Council staff shall specifically adhere to the Code of Official Conduct of the Council of the District of Columbia.
(d)(1) The Council shall proactively review the District's overall ethics program, including structure, training, enforcement, and overall ethics culture, and work to comply with national standards for the creation of effective compliance and ethics programs.
(2) The Ethics Counselor for the Council, in coordination with the Office of Campaign Finance, shall conduct mandatory training on the conflict of interest and ethics laws and regulations applicable to Councilmembers and staff on at least an annual basis. Ethics training materials, including summary guidelines to all applicable laws and regulations, shall be prepared by the Ethics Counselor for the Council and made readily available online and in print.
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL.
211. CHAIRMAN.
The Chairman shall be the presiding and chief executive officer of the Council.
212. CHAIRMAN PRO TEMPORE.
In each Council period, the Chairman shall nominate one member as Chairman Pro Tempore who will act in the place of the Chairman when the Chairman is absent or has recused himself or herself. The Council shall act on the Chairman's nomination by resolution.
213. VACANCY IN OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN.
Whenever a vacancy occurs in the Office of the Chairman or the Chairman is serving as Acting Mayor, the Chairman Pro Tempore selected pursuant to section 212 shall convene the Council. The Council, by resolution, shall elect one of its at-large members as Acting Chairman and another at-large member as Acting Chairman Pro Tempore until the vacancy in the Office of Chairman is filled or until the return of the regularly-elected Chairman.
B. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.
221. SELECTION.
At the organizational meeting convened in accordance with section 301 at the beginning of the Council Period, the Chairman shall nominate the chairperson and members of each committee of the Council and the Council shall by resolution act on the Chairman's nominations.
222. CHAIRMAN AS EX-OFFICIO MEMBER.
The Chairman shall be an ex-officio, voting member of all committees and may be counted for purposes of a quorum, but shall not increase the quorum requirement for the committee.
223. VACANCIES.
A vacancy in the membership or chair of a committee shall be filled by appointment by the Chairman, with the approval of the Council by resolution.
224. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSIBILITY.
The Chairman and Council shall endeavor to distribute committee responsibility as evenly as possible among the members and in no event shall an individual member chair more than one standing committee. The principle of seniority shall be respected in the assignment of committee chairs.
225. PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS IN COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
(a) Any member of the Council may attend the meeting of any committee and may participate in committee discussions, but only committee members may make motions and cast votes.
(b) Any member of the Council may participate fully in the hearings of any committee.
226. RULES OF COMMITTEES.
(a) Each committee shall adopt written rules, not inconsistent with these Rules or other applicable law, to govern its procedures. The committee rules, effective when filed in the Secretary's Office, shall incorporate the following principles:
(1) The scheduling of regular meeting days, which shall not be less frequent than monthly, for conducting business;
(2) A procedure for rescheduling or cancelling a regular meeting;
(3) A procedure for holding additional meetings to be called by the chairperson;
(4) A procedure for holding special meetings, which shall be called at the request of a majority of the members of the committee;
(5) Procedures to govern the chair of a committee meeting in the absence of the chairperson;
(6) Procedures for keeping a complete record of all committee action, which shall include roll call votes;
(7) Procedures for making available for inspection by the public, at reasonable times in the office of either the committee or the Secretary to the Council, a description of each amendment, motion, order, or other proposition on which a roll call was taken, the name of each member voting for and against the amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of those members present but not voting;
(8) A procedure for giving notice of hearings consistent with section 422;
(9) Procedures setting a fixed number of members to constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving evidence;
(10) The imposition of a 10-minute rule in the interrogation of a witness before the committee, until each member of the committee has had an opportunity to question the witness;
(11) A prohibition against voting upon a measure or recommendation unless a quorum of the committee is actually present;
(12) A requirement that if, at the time of approval of a measure by a committee, a member of the committee gives notice of the intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less than 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, within which to file the views, which shall be included in the report of the committee on the measure;
(13) A procedure for amending the committee rules by a vote of a majority of the committee;
(14) A requirement that if an amendment is orally moved during a committee meeting, it shall, upon request by a member, be reduced to writing and read by the Committee Clerk or other staff of the Committee, and made available for public inspection as soon as practicable;
(15) A requirement for the circulation of notice of the date, hour, and place of all committee meetings to all members of the Council at least 24 hours before the date of the meeting, along with a copy of the agenda of the meeting and a draft of any measures to be considered, unless at least 4 members of the committee agree to a shorter notice;
(16) A procedure for providing at least 24 hours notice to Members and the Secretary to the Council of the cancellation of a regularly scheduled meeting and at least 12 hours notice to Members and the Secretary of the Council of the cancellation of an additional meeting, unless the Members of the Council and the Secretary are given written notice of the cancellation at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled meeting;
(17) A procedure for recessing a meeting which is consistent with Rule 302(c);
(18) A procedure to ensure that meetings of the committee do not conflict with a previously scheduled meeting of another committee; and
(19) A procedure for the adoption of a consent agenda.
(b) The following provisions of these Rules shall be considered rules of committees: 101 (Definitions); 202 (Code of Official Conduct); 203 (Conflict of Interest); 304 (Quorum); 305 (Meetings Open to the Public); 306 (Executive Sessions); 307 (Hearing the Mayor); 321 (Decorum of Members); 322 (Decorum of Members of the Public); 331 (Obtaining the Floor); 332 (Limitations on Debate); 333 (Personal Privilege); 334 (Points of Order); 335 (Appeal); 336 (Extension of Remarks); 341 (Motions Recognized During Debate); 342 (Withdrawal or Modification of Motions); 343 (Amendments to be Written); 351 (Form of Vote); 352 (Voice Votes); 353 (Demand for Roll Call Vote); 356 (Proxy Voting Prohibited); 357 (Reconsideration); 425 (Methods of Notice); 448 (Records of Legislative Meetings); 450 (Effect of End of Council Period); 1001 (Parliamentary Authority); 1002 (Gender Rule of Construction); and 1003 (Suspension of Rules).
(c) Any provision of these Rules that by its terms specifically applies to a committee shall be binding on each committee.
(d) When these rules are used as committee rules, and unless the context dictates a different meaning, the term “Council” means “committee”, the term “member” or “member of the Council“ means ”member of the committee“, the term ”Chairman“ means ”Chairperson of the Committee“, and the term ”Secretary“ means ”Clerk or other staff of the committee“.
(e) A committee may adopt additional rules. Committee rules adopted under this section shall be consistent with these Rules and other applicable law, and shall be filed with the Secretary to the Council.
(f) Each committee shall adopt its rules and appoint committee staff pursuant to section 272 within 14 business days of the organizational meeting held pursuant to section 301 and shall send the adopted rules and staff appointments to the Chairman.
227. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY REPORT.
Each committee shall file a report not later than 30 days prior to the end of each Council period which details its oversight and legislative activities. The format and content of the reports shall be determined by the Secretary
C. STANDING COMMITTEES.
231. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
(a) The Committee of the Whole is responsible for the annual budget, and amendments, additions, or supplements to the budget; coordinating the Council's relationships with the Congress, the Federal executive branch; monitoring the progress of Council legislation through Congress; monitoring the status of original legislative proposals in Congress that may affect the District of Columbia, the Council, or its legislation; Council appointments to Boards and Commissions; the development of the comprehensive plan and other matters pertaining to land use; public space naming; reapportionment and realignment of the political subdivisions of the District of Columbia; Council administration and personnel; the scheduling of all matters for consideration by the Council in the legislative meeting; legislative matters related to the District of Columbia as a political entity, including voting rights; responsible for coordinating the Council's relationships with appropriate regional, state, and national associations and organizations; labor relations; the Council's relationship with regional authorities and other regional bodies and organizations not specifically assigned to other committees; all matters related to public education, including authorizing public charter schools; cable television; and other matters assigned to it by these Rules or by the Chairman.
(b) The Chairman of the Council is the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole and its members include all members of the Council. The Committee of the Whole shall meet on the third Tuesday of each month, except during periods of Council recess, in a work session to consider measures which have been reported and timely filed by committees pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, and for the introduction and referral of legislation. The Chairman shall prepare the agenda for each meeting of the Committee of the Whole. The Chairman may not withhold a measure duly reported and timely filed by another committee from the Committee of the Whole agenda unless the Committee of the Whole votes to table the measure.
(c)(1) Except as provided in section 339, each bill and resolution reported by the committees of the Council identified in sections 232 to 242 shall be referred to the Committee of the Whole for a review of its legal sufficiency and technical compliance with the drafting rules of the Council; for ascertaining completion of the record; for a determination of the sufficiency of the fiscal impact statement required by section 443(c); and for scheduling for the Legislative Meeting.
(2) No bill or resolution may be reported by a committee of the Council for consideration at the Committee of the Whole unless it is accompanied by a fiscal impact statement.
(3) Amendments made by committees that are outside the legislative jurisdiction of the committee shall be referred to the relevant committee before the legislation is agendized for the legislative meeting at the Committee of the Whole.
(d) The following agencies shall come within the purview of the Committee of the Whole:
Council of the District of Columbia
District of Columbia Auditor
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
National Capital Planning Commission
Office of Budget and Planning
Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Office of Cable Television
Public Access Corporation
Office of Planning
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation
Office of Zoning
Board of Zoning Adjustment
Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia
District of Columbia Public Schools
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
University of the District of Columbia
Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education
District of Columbia Public Charter School Board
(e)(1) The Subcommittee on Redistricting, as delegated by the Committee of the Whole, shall be responsible for developing a realignment and reapportionment of the District's political subdivisions based on the 2010 Census.
(2) The following agencies come within the purview of the Subcommittee on Redistricting:
Any entity created to develop a redistricting proposal.
232. COMMITTEE ON AGING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
(a) The Committee on Aging and Community Affairs is responsible for the concerns of the aging; matters regarding Advisory Neighborhood Commissions; human rights; Latino, African, Asian and pacific islander affairs; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender affairs; issues related to women; and veterans affairs.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Aging and Community Affairs:
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
Commission on Aging
Office on Aging
Commission on Human Rights
Office of Human Rights
Commission on Latino Community Development
Office of Latino Affairs
Commission for Women
Office on African Affairs
Office of Asian and Pacific Islanders Affairs
Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs
Office of Veterans Affairs
233. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
(a) The Committee on Economic Development is responsible for matters related to economic, industrial and commercial development; the disposition of property for economic development purposes; tourism; cultural affairs; international business and affairs; and local business development policy.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Economic Development:
Deputy Mayor for Economic Development
District of Columbia Small and Local Business Opportunity Commission
Department of Small and Local Business Development
Destination DC
District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission
Commission on Arts and Humanities
Office of Motion Picture and Television Development
234. COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND REVENUE.
(a) The Committee on Finance and Revenue is responsible for matters relating to taxation and revenue for the operation of the government of the District of Columbia; general obligation bond acts, revenue anticipation notes, and industrial revenue bonds.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Finance and Revenue:
Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals
District of Columbia Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board
Multistate Tax Commission
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Office of Financial Management
Office of Financial Operations
Office of Finance and Treasury
Office of Tax and Revenue
Washington Convention and Sports Authority
235. COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
(a) The Committee on Government Operations and the Environment is responsible for matters relating to elections, campaign finance, general services, personnel, including employee appeals and general administration of the government of the District of Columbia; maintenance of public buildings, property management, including the declaration of government property as no longer required for public purposes; grants management; government procurement; matters relating to the general operations and services of government; and matters relating to environmental protection regulation and policies.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Government Operations and the Environment:
Contract Appeals Board
Department of Human Resources
Department of Real Estate Services
District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics
District of Columbia Retirement Board
District Department of the Environment
Environmental Planning Commission
Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Office of the City Administrator
Office of Contracting and Procurement
Office of Disability Rights
Office of Employee Appeals
Office of Energy
Office of Grants Management
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the Mayor
Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Office of Press Secretary
Office of Risk Management
Public Employees Relations Board
Secretary of the District of Columbia
236. COMMITTEE ON HEALTH.
(a) The committee is responsible for matters concerning health and environmental health, except for rodent control; the regulation of health occupations and professions, and health care inspectors.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Health:
Department of Health
Department of Mental Health
Department of Health Care Finance
Board of Chiropractic
Board of Dentistry
Board of Dietetics and Nutrition
Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
Board of Massage Therapy
Board of Medicine
Board of Nursing
Board of Nursing Home Administration
Board of Occupational Therapy
Board of Optometry
Board of Pharmacy
Board of Physical Therapy
Board of Podiatry
Board of Professional Counseling
Board of Psychology
Board of Respiratory Care
Board of Veterinary Examiner
Statewide Health Coordinating Council
237. COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
(a) The Committee on Housing and Workforce Development is responsible for matters related to development, maintenance, preservation, and regulation of the housing stock, including rental housing; and neighborhood development, improvement, stabilization, and urban affairs; workforce development issues; employment and manpower development; matters related to Statehood and self-determination for the District; and ex-offender affairs.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Housing and Workforce Development:
Department of Housing and Community Development or any successor agency
District of Columbia Housing Authority
Housing Finance Agency
Housing Production Trust Fund Board
Rental Housing Commission
Department of Employment Services
Apprenticeship Council
Office on Ex-Offender Affairs
District of Columbia Statehood Commission
District of Columbia Statehood Compact Commission
238. COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES.
(a) The Committee on Human Services is responsible for matters concerning welfare; social services; youth affairs (other than juvenile justice); disability services; and the regulation of alcoholic beverages.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Human Services:
Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
Board of Social Work
Child and Family Services Agency
Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation
Department on Disability Services
Department of Human Services
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
239. COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES, PARKS AND RECREATION.
(a) The Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation is responsible for all matters related to libraries, public parks and recreation.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation:
Department of Parks and Recreation
District of Columbia Public Library system
240. COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY.
(a) The Committee on the Judiciary is responsible for matters affecting the judiciary and judicial procedure which are within the authority of the Council; matters affecting decedents' estates and fiduciary affairs; matters affecting administrative law and procedure; matters affecting criminal law and procedure; matters arising from or pertaining to the police and fire regulations of the District of Columbia; and other matters related to police protection, correctional institutions (including youth corrections), fire prevention, emergency medical services, homeland security, criminal justice, and public safety.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on the Judiciary:
Access to Justice Initiative
Child Support Guidelines Commission
Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure
Corrections Information Council
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Department of Corrections
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission
District of Columbia National Guard
District of Columbia Sentencing and Criminal Code Revision Commission
Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
Forensic Health and Science Laboratories
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Metropolitan Police Department
Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Commission
Office of Administrative Hearings
Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Office of Justice Grants Administration
Office of Police Complaints
Office of Unified Communications
Office of Victims Services
Police Complaints Board
Police Officers' and Fire Fighters Retirement System
241. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
(a) The Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs is responsible for matters related to consumer and regulatory affairs; public utilities, the regulation of banks and banking activities; securities, and insurance; including private health insurance matters.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs:
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration for the District of Columbia
Office of People's Counsel
Public Service Commission
Office of the Tenant Advocate
Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
Board of Architecture and Interior Designers
Board of Accountancy
Board of Barber and Cosmetology
Board of Professional Engineering
Board of Funeral Directors
Board of Industrial Trades
Board of Real Estate
Board of Real Estate Appraisers
242. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION.
(a) The Committee on Public Works and Transportation is responsible for matters relating to highways, bridges, traffic, vehicles, the regulation of taxicabs, maintenance of public spaces, recycling, waste management, water supply, and wastewater treatment, and regional public transportation issues.
(b) The following agencies come within the purview of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Public Works
District Department of Transportation
District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council
District of Columbia Taxicab Commission
Soil and Water Conservation District
Washington Aqueduct
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Water and Sewer Authority
243. SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION OF CAPITAL PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
(a) The Special Committee on Investigation of Capital Projects of the Department of Parks and Recreation (Special Committee) shall have jurisdiction over the investigation report issued by the Special Council in Council Period 19 concluding the investigation begun in Council Period 18 into contracts and funds for capital projects of the Department of Parks and Recreation pursuant to the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation Budget Transparency Investigation Authorization Resolution of 2009, effective November 2, 2009 (56 DCR 8724) and the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation Budget Transparency Investigation Amendment Resolution of 2010, effective March 9, 2010 (57 DCR 3210). The Special Committee shall be responsible for receiving the investigation report of the Special Counsel and determining whether to present the report to the Council with recommendations, if any, of the Special Committee.
(b) The Special Committee shall conclude its business and sunset within 120 days following the issuance to it of the investigation report of the Special Counsel.
D. CREATION OF SUBCOMMITTEES.
245. SUBCOMMITTEES.
At or near the beginning of a new Council Period, the Chairman of the Council, shall nominate the chairperson and members of each subcommittee of the Council. The Council shall by resolution act on the Chairman's nominations. A subcommittee may use subpoenas to obtain testimony or documents only if the standing committee of which it is a subcommittee authorizes the issuance of subpoenas. Each bill or resolution reported by a subcommittee shall be referred to its standing committee for a vote and scheduling for the Committee of the Whole. Subcommittees shall comply with the requirements of these Rules.
E. SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
251. CREATION OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
Special committees to consider investigations, ethics, and other matters may be created by resolution, approved by 2/3rds of the members of the Council. The resolution shall set forth the jurisdiction, size, duration, and date for final action of the special committee.
252. USE OF SUBPOENAS BY SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
A special committee may use subpoenas to obtain testimony or documents only if the resolution creating the special committee authorizes the issuance of subpoenas. Subpoenas issued by special committees shall comply with the requirements of Article VI of these Rules.
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS.
253. SPECIAL PROJECTS.
Special policy development and oversight projects may be created and funded by a Council resolution. The resolution shall set forth the timetable, budget, goals, and deliverables of the special project, and specify whether the project will be undertaken by a standing or special committee, or another method of organization.
G. APPOINTED OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL.
261. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.
The appointed officers of the Council are the Secretary, General Counsel, Budget Director, Policy Director, and Chief Technology Officer. The assignment, removal, and remuneration of these officers shall be recommended by the Chairman, and approved by vote of the majority of the Council.
262. SECRETARY.
The Secretary is, and shall also be known as, the chief administrative officer of the Council and is responsible for maintaining records of Council actions including the filing of bills and proposed resolutions, amendments to bills and resolutions, requests for hearings, committee reports, and other records and reports assigned by these Rules, the Council, or the Chairman, and for proposing and administering the fiscal year budget of the Council.
263. GENERAL COUNSEL.
The General Counsel is responsible for advising the Council on matters of parliamentary procedure, identifying legislative problems, providing members with alternatives in terms of policy options to solve those problems, representing the Council in any legal action to which it is a party, supervising the publication of the District of Columbia Official Code, providing legislative drafting assistance to all members, engrossing and enrolling measures, and making necessary technical and conforming changes in measures during enrollment, and shall serve as Ethics Counselor for the Council.
264. BUDGET DIRECTOR.
The Budget Director is responsible for advising members of the Council on matters related to the budget including the development of annual and multiyear budgets and financial plans, review of contracts, and analysis of the fiscal impact of legislation. The budget staff shall also serve as a resource for all Council committees and members.
265. POLICY DIRECTOR.
The Policy Director is responsible for advising members of the Council on policy matters that are presented to the Office of Policy Analysis for its review and to provide comprehensive, independent, and objective research and analysis on defined legislative and policy issues to members of the Council, upon request. The policy analysis staff shall also serve as a resource for all Council committees and their members.
266. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
The Chief Technology Officer is the central technology resource of the Council and is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the Council's technology infrastructure; developing and implementing major enterprise applications; establishing and overseeing technology policies and standards for the Council; providing technology services and support, and developing technology solutions to improve Council services.
H. COUNCIL PERSONNEL AND APPOINTMENTS.
271. SUBORDINATE STAFF OF APPOINTED OFFICERS.
The appointed officers may assign, remove, and determine the remuneration for their respective professional and clerical staffs, subject to appropriations and positions allocated by the Council.
272. COMMITTEE STAFF.
(a) Within 14 business days of the organizational meeting held pursuant to section 301, the chairperson of each committee shall appoint and shall present for the approval of committee members the names and responsibilities of each committee staff person. The chairperson shall remove, and determine the remuneration for the staff of the committee, subject to appropriations and positions allocated by the Council.
(b) The chairperson of each committee shall notify the members of the committee of such action within 3 working days.
273. MEMBERS' PERSONAL STAFF.
Each member may assign, remove, and determine the remuneration for his or her personal staff, subject to appropriations and positions allocated by the Council.
274. COUNCIL APPOINTMENT TO OTHER BODIES.
Where the law provides for the Council to appoint a person to another body, the Chairman shall nominate the person and the Council shall act on the nomination by resolution. A representative appointed by the Chairman or Council shall report to the Council on a periodic basis. The Council may, by resolution, instruct its representative as to the position to take on a particular matter.
275. APPOINTMENT BY COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS.
(a) Where the law provides for a committee to appoint or approve the appointment of a person to a board or commission, the committee shall act on the appointment by committee resolution filed with the Secretary.
(b) Where the law provides for a member to appoint a person to a board or commission, the member shall make the appointment by memoranda filed with the Secretary, which states:
(1) The legal capacity in which the member is acting, e.g., as a member of the Council or as chair or a member of a particular committee;
(2) The date of appointment;
(3) The official name of the board or commission to which the person is being appointed;
(4) The name, complete mailing address, and ward designation of the person appointed;
(5) The law under which the appointment is being made; and
(6) The term of the appointment.
276. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENTS.
After January 1, 1987, each member of a District of Columbia board or commission who is not serving as a member of that board or commission as of January 1, 1987, and who is appointed under section 274 or 275, shall be a resident of the District of Columbia at the time of appointment, unless the law or executive order that established the board or commission specifically authorizes the appointment of a nonresident as a member of the board or commission.
ARTICLE III--PROCEDURES FOR MEETINGS.
A. LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS.
301. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING.
On the first day of each Council Period that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the Council shall convene an organizational meeting for the purpose of considering the adoption of Rules of Organization and Procedure, selecting a Chairman Pro Tempore pursuant to section 212, appointment of committee chairs and memberships, appointment of members to regional bodies, and appointment of Council officers. If a quorum is not present, the Chairman shall convene an organizational meeting as soon as feasible.
302. REGULAR MEETINGS.
(a) The Council shall hold a regular legislative meeting on the first Tuesday of every month except during a period of recess of the Council. When the day for a regularly scheduled legislative meeting falls on a day designated by law as a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held at the same time on the next succeeding day that is not a holiday. Regularly scheduled legislative meetings shall be held at 10:00 a.m. The Chairman may designate another hour for a meeting at the next legislative meeting or meeting of the Committee of the Whole or by written notice to each member and the Secretary to the Council at least 24 hours before the regularly scheduled hour.
(b) All regular meetings of the Council shall be held in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., unless another place is designated by a majority of the Council either in a legislative meeting or in writing circulated to all members and the Secretary to the Council not less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.
(c) If a majority of the Council is present at a regular meeting, the Chairman may recess that meeting to another time, day, or place, or may reschedule a future regular meeting to another time, day, or place.
(d) The Chairman may cancel a future regularly scheduled meeting. The Secretary shall notify each member and the public of a meeting cancellation.
303. ADDITIONAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS.
(a) The Chairman may call additional meetings of the Council.
(b) Any 2 members may request that the Chairman call a special meeting of the Council. The request must be in writing and filed in the Office of the Secretary. Immediately upon the filing of the request, the Secretary shall notify the Chairman and other members of the filing of the request. If, within 24 hours after the request is filed, the Chairman does not call the requested special meeting, to be held within 72 hours after the request is filed, a majority of the members of the Council may file in the office of the Secretary their written notice that a special meeting of the Council will be held, specifying the date, hour, place, and agenda of the special meeting. The Council shall meet at that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the notice, the Secretary shall notify all members of the Council as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Whenever an additional or special meeting is called, the Secretary shall notify each member in writing not less than 24 hours prior to the additional or special meeting. The Secretary shall provide timely notice of the meeting to the public. The notice shall state the date, hour, place, and agenda of the meeting and may state whether items are to be considered on a consent or non-consent agenda. No matter shall be considered at an additional or special meeting except those stated in the request and notification. An additional meeting to consider an emergency and temporary matter may be called upon shorter notice, if a majority of the members agree in writing to the shorter notice. The Chairman may add emergency and temporary measures to the agenda of an additional meeting with the written agreement of a majority of the Members.
304. QUORUM.
A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the lawful convening of a Council meeting and for the transaction of business, except that a lesser number may hold hearings. A meeting shall not begin until a quorum is ascertained by the Chairman. After a quorum has been ascertained, the meeting shall proceed, unless a member raises the absence of a quorum, whereupon the Chairman shall direct the calling of the roll and shall announce the result. These proceedings shall be without debate, and until a quorum is present, no debate or motion shall be in order except to recess for 20 minutes to find absent members. After the recess, the roll shall be called again. If a quorum is present, the meeting shall proceed; if a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be adjourned.
305. MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
All meetings of the Council at which official action is taken shall be open to the public. No resolution, rule, act, or other official action shall be effective unless taken, made, or enacted at an open meeting.
306. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS.
Upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a public meeting, the Council may conduct a meeting in an executive session to the extent permitted by section 305.
307. HEARING THE MAYOR.
The Mayor has the right to be heard by the Council upon request and at reasonable times set by the Council.
308. RECESS.
(a) Except as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, no bill or resolution, other than an emergency bill or emergency resolution and accompanying temporary bill, or a resolution to approve or disapprove a contract, to be considered at a special or additional meeting called pursuant to these Rules, may be introduced during a recess of the Council. No committee may take official action during a recess of the Council; except that, when specifically authorized to do so by a vote of a majority of the Council, a committee may hold a public hearing or roundtable. A notice of future committee action may be filed during a recess of the Council.
(b)(1) A member of the Council may introduce a resolution approving or disapproving a contract in excess of $1 million or a multiyear contract during any recess period.
(2) A proposed contract in excess of $1 million during a 12-month period or a multiyear contract for goods or services that is required to be submitted to the Council pursuant to section 451 of the District Charter may be transmitted to the Office of the Secretary for the Council during the 30-day period prior to the end of the summer recess of the Council, a committee may hold a public hearing and take official action on the proposed contract in excess of $1 million or multiyear contract during this period, and a member of the Council may introduce a resolution approving or disapproving a contract in excess of $1 million or a multiyear contract during this recess period.
(3) A proposed federal-aid highway contract in excess of $1 million during a 12-month period that is required to be submitted to the Council for its review pursuant to the District Charter may be transmitted to the Office of the Secretary to the Council during a recess of the Council, a committee may hold a public hearing and take official action on the proposed federal-aid highway contract during the recess, and a member of the Council may introduce a resolution approving or disapproving the proposed federal-aid highway contract during the recess and during the 10-day period following submission of the proposed federal-aid highway contract to the Council.
309. COUNCIL REVIEW OF CONTRACTS.
(a) Notwithstanding section 402(b) of these Rules, the time period for Council review of a proposed contract in excess of $1 million during a 12-month period or a multiyear contract that is required to be submitted to the Council pursuant to the District Charter shall begin on the first day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) following its receipt by the Office of the Secretary to the Council. The Secretary to the Council shall ensure that a copy of the proposed contract is designated as urgent and circulated in a folder of a distinctive color to the office of each member of the Council within 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), following its receipt by the Office of the Secretary to the Council.
(b) The submission of an annual capital program of federal-aid highway projects to the Council for review and approval and approval of the annual program is deemed as approval of the individual contracts that make up the annual program.
(c) The Secretary to the Council shall place an electronic copy of the summary of a proposed contract on the Legislative Information Management System in a manner that it may be accessed through the website of the Council, and on the Council “v” drive within 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) following its receipt.
B. ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR MEETINGS.
311. ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR REGULAR MEETINGS.
Subject to section 313, the Council shall take up business in the following order unless a different order has been set for a particular meeting by action of the Committee of the Whole:
(1) Call to order at the time and place set forth pursuant to section 302;
(2) Moment of silence;
(3) Determination by the Chairman of the presence of a quorum;
(4) Presentation of ceremonial resolutions;
(5) Secretary's report on the filing of reports by committees, unless the formal reading of the report is waived by unanimous consent;
(6) Secretary's report of the introduction of new bills and proposed resolutions filed with that office, and the introduction by members of new bills and proposed resolutions by reading the short title, unless the formal reading of the report is waived by unanimous consent pursuant to section 404(c);
(7) Approval of the consent agenda without objection by a member;
(8) Reading by short title and votes on proposed ceremonial resolutions;
(9) Final reading by short title and final vote on bills that have been pending at least 13 days since they were previously read;
(10) Reading by titles of reported and discharged bills with a limitation on debate as provided in section 332;
(11) Reading by short title and vote on proposed resolutions except as provided in paragraph (8) of this section;
(12) Reading by short title and vote on resolutions declaring the existence of emergencies and accompanying emergency bills;
(13) Reading by short title and vote on temporary legislation;
(14) Official communications received from the Mayor or an agency; and
(15) Other business.
312. ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR ADDITIONAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS.
The Council shall take up business in the following order at an additional or special meeting:
(1) The Council shall be called to order at the time and place set forth in the notice of the meeting.
(2) The Chairman shall ascertain the presence of a quorum.
(3) If a quorum is present, the Council shall take up business in the order set forth in the meeting notice.
313. PROCEEDING OUT OF ORDER.
The Chairman, without objection, or upon the vote of a majority of the members present and voting, may take up any item of business out of order.
C. RULES OF DECORUM.
321. DECORUM OF MEMBERS.
(a) Members shall not engage in private discourse or commit any other act tending to distract the attention of the Council from the business before it.
(b) In debate a member must confine remarks to the question at hand, and avoid personalities.
(c) A member in referring to another member should avoid using the member's name, rather identifying that member by ward or at-large status, as the member who last spoke or by describing the member in some other manner.
(d) It is not the person but the measure that is the subject of debate, and it is not allowable to question or impugn the motives of a member, but the nature or consequences of a measure may be condemned in strong terms.
(e) The use of cellular telephones and pagers during meetings or public hearings in the Council Chambers or in any other place where Council committee meetings or public hearings are being conducted is prohibited.
322. DECORUM OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
(a) Members of the public shall not commit any act tending to distract the attention of the Council from the business before it.
(b) The Chairman shall maintain order in the Council Chamber. If the Chairman determines that the removal of a person other than a member is necessary to maintain order, after warning the person, the Chairman may order the removal of the disorderly person.
(c) Unless permitted by the Chairman, no member of the public may enter the area designated as the well or the dais of the Council Chamber during an official meeting of the body.
(d)(1) No signs, placards, posters or attention devices of any kind or nature shall be carried or placed within the Council hearing or meeting rooms or Council Chamber. No demonstrations are permitted in the Council Chamber or any area in which a Council proceeding or a public hearing is being conducted. The use of cellular telephones and pagers during meetings or public hearings in the Council Chambers or in any other place where Council committee meetings or public hearings are being conducted is prohibited.
(2) This prohibition shall not apply to armbands, emblems, badges or other articles worn on the personal clothing of individuals; provided, that such armbands, badges or emblems are of such a size and nature as not to interfere with the vision or hearing of other persons at a meeting nor extend from the body as may cause injury to another.
(3) Any person who shall violate the provisions of this subsection, relating to signs, or who shall willfully interrupt or disturb Council proceedings, after warning to desist, may be removed from the premises.
(4) Models, photographs, maps, charts, drawings, and other such demonstrative materials intended for use in a presentation by a specific person in testimony before the Council shall be permitted.
(e) No person, except a member of the Council or Council staff, shall be allowed in the anteroo