Per Resolution No. 200001-A entitled The Rules of Council:
“The President, after consultation with the Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Majority Deputy Whip (“Majority Leadership”), shall appoint all standing committees and the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson thereof, and may fill all vacancies that may occur from time to time therein; except as otherwise expressly provided in these rules.
The President, as well as the Majority Leader, shall be a member of every committee, except on the Committee on Ethics, if removed from the committee as provided herein.”
Read the Rules of Council in full.
Contact information for the following Standing Committees can be found here.
Last updated: Dec 9, 2022 @ 9:06 am
Meeting of the Whole Council
Chair
Darrell L. Clarke
Vice Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Members
Consisting of all members of City Council
View past hearings of the Committee of the Whole.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the appropriation of funds, the payment of moneys not provided for by previous authority of law, the procurement of equipment and supplies; and all matters affecting the receipt, disbursement, transfer or other use of City money and the audit of the same; provided, however, that should any matter be referred to any other committee requiring an appropriation the said legislation should be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations following the action of the aforesaid committee.
Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Vice Chair
Kenyatta Johnson
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Isaiah Thomas, Brian J. O’Neill, David Oh, Kathrine Gilmore Richardson, Quetcy M. Lozada
View past hearings of the Committee on Appropriations.
Responsibility
Matters relating to children and youth, including, but not limited to, early learning, child care, economic and food security among families, safe and supportive family environments, mental and emotional health, juvenile justice, supplemental learning opportunities, and youth employment and job readiness.
Chair
Anthony Phillips
Vice Chair
Isaiah Thomas
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Kendra Brooks, Kenyatta Johnson, Jamie Gauthier, Jim Harrity
View past hearings of the Committee on Children and Youth.
All matters relating to the Department of Commerce
Responsibility
All matters relating to the Department of Commerce, and its departmental boards; the port and airport facilities, and the rates and charges for the use thereof; the City Representative, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, the Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation and the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation. All matters relating to the Civic Center complex, celebrations, parades and other similar functions. All matters relating to the promotion of commerce, economic development and employment within the City. All matters relating to the expenditure of Federal and State funds for the promotion of economic development and employment within the City.
Chair
Mark Squilla
Vice Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Jamie Gauthier, Kenyatta Johnson, Kendra Brooks, David Oh
View past hearings of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Responsibility
All matters relating to education in the public schools of Philadelphia excepting matters referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Chair
Isaiah Thomas
Vice Chair
Kendra Brooks
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
David Oh, Mark Squilla, Jamie Gauthier, Anthony Phillips, Quetcy M. Lozada
View past hearings of the Committee on Education.
Responsibility
All matters relating to air and water quality; environmental initiatives such as green space, waste management and clean fuel; and new technologies to conserve resources.
Chair
Katherine Gilmore Richardson
Vice Chair
Cindy Bass
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Kendra Brooks, Jamie Gauthier, Michael Driscoll, Sharon Vaughn, Jim Harrity
View past hearings of the Committee on the Environment.
Responsibility
The Committee shall conduct investigations of individual members of the Council after: a. The Council by majority vote shall have approved the filing of charges against such members for alleged violations of Chapter 20-600 of the Philadelphia Code or these Rules; and b. The Council shall have approved by majority vote a resolution authorizing such investigation. There shall be separate resolutions relating to each individual, to be considered separately by the Council and each resolution shall contain a list of all charges and alleged violations. The accused member of Council may provide self representation or may be represented during such an investigation by counsel. If a member under investigation should resign from positions in Council or from office before the completion of the investigation, the investigation may be terminated by a majority vote of all members of the Committee. Upon completion of an investigation of a member of Council, the Committee shall make its recommendation to the Council, and the Council shall take whatever actions it deems appropriate. All matters which come under this Committee, including hearings, actions and recommendations shall be conducted in public, except when the Committee by majority vote goes into executive session.
Chair
Darrell L. Clarke
Vice Chair
Brian J. O’Neill
Members
Consisting of all City Council members
View past hearings of the Committee on Ethics.
Responsibility
All matters relating to finance, taxation and the indebtedness of the City; more specifically, all matters relating to taxes, water and sewer rents, fees, charges, fines, penalties, the operating and capital budgets; the care and control of public funds; all matters relating to electoral and Council loans and the Sinking Fund; and all matters relating to revenue sharing from the Commonwealth and of the United States government.
Chair
Mark Squilla
Vice Chair
Cindy Bass
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
David Oh, Curtis Jones, Jr., Kenyatta Johnson, Isaiah Thomas
View past hearings of the Committee on Finance.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority and the City’s Five Year Financial Plan.
Chair
Darrell L. Clarke
Vice Chair
Brian J. O’Neill
Members
Consisting of all City Council members
View past hearings of the Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation.
Responsibility
All matters related to international relationships, international commerce, international visitors, international business, global marketing and investments from overseas. All matters related to foreign governments and overseas entities, cultural exchanges, trade missions, global partnering and strategic alliances. All matters related to developing and promoting Philadelphia’s creative/innovative economy on a global basis. All matters related to making Philadelphia a world class city and international destination for international persons and entities.
Chair
David Oh
Vice Chair
Cindy Bass
Members
Mark Squilla, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Isaiah Thomas, Quetcy M. Lozada, Jim Harrity, Michael Driscoll
View past hearings of the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the creation and maintenance of housing within the City, including public housing and affordable private housing; all matters relating to the alleviation of homelessness and services provided to homeless individuals within the City.
Chair
Jamie Gauthier
Vice Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Members
Cindy Bass, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Mark Squilla, Kendra Brooks, Michael Driscoll
Responsibility
Matters relating to issues confronting older people, including, but not limited to, financial security, opportunities for and barriers to employment, age discrimination, health concerns, aging in place, visitable homes, assistance with estate issues, and end-of-life considerations.
Chair
Sharon Vaughn
Vice Chair
Kendra Brooks
Members
Michael Driscoll, Quetcy M. Lozada, Anthony Phillips, Jim Harrity
View past hearings of the Committee on Committee on Intergenerational Affairs and Aging.
Responsibility
All matters relating to labor relations, the Civil Service Commission, the Personnel Director, and the Board of Pensions and Retirement.
Chair
Brian J. O’Neill
Vice Chair
Katherine Gilmore Richardson
Members
Kendra Brooks, Anthony Phillips, Quetcy M. Lozada
View past hearings of the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
Responsibility
All matters within the scope of the Law Department, the Administrative Board, the codification of Council ordinances, claims against the City based upon moral obligation to make payment, all matters affecting the former County offices, all matters concerning elections, recall and special elections, all matters relating to the implementation of the Charter, or amendments thereto, and all other matters in which legal aspects are involved; and all other matters relating to cooperation with the Federal, State, inter-City and inter-County governments.
Chair
Katherine Gilmore Richardson
Vice Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Members
David Oh, Brian J. O’Neill, Cindy Bass, Mark Squilla, Anthony Phillips
View past hearings of the Committee on Law and Government.
Responsibility
All matters related to the legislative acts of Council. It is to check with the Executive and Judicial branches on the enforcement of laws passed by Council, on the carrying out of projects voted by the Council, the budgetary expenditures as allowed in the various budget funds, and matters relating to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members
Isaiah Thomas, Quetcy M. Lozada, Sharon Vaughn, Anthony Phillips
View past hearings of the Committee on Legislative Oversight.
Responsibility
All matters relating to licenses and inspections, building safety and sanitation, and building, housing, and electrical codes and standards.
Chair
Michael Driscoll
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
David Oh, Kenyatta Johnson, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Curtis Jones, Jr., Sharon Vaughn
View past hearings of the Committee on Licenses and Inspections.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the Department of Recreation, the Recreation Coordination Board, City parks, including Fairmount Park, and the recreational program conducted by the Board of Public Education of the School District; the Board of Trustees of Camp William Penn, professional sports facilities and ground appurtenant thereto; matters relating to the Mann Music Center and Robin Hood Dell, the annual Mummers Parade; and matters relating to the management of certain historical shrines acquired by the City through ownership or custody.
Chair
Cindy Bass
Vice Chair
Jamie Gauthier
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Kenyatta Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, Curtis Jones, Jr., Kendra Brooks, Jim Harrity
View past hearings of the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Responsibility
The Committee shall undertake to examine all issues regarding the disabled population of Philadelphia; and to propose recommendations and/or laws where appropriate to elevate this population to accessibility in their daily activities with the able-bodied population of Philadelphia.
Chair
Kendra Brooks
Vice Chair
Sharon Vaughn
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Isaiah Thomas, Cindy Bass, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Jamie Gauthier, Jim Harrity
View past hearings of the Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the public health, and the Air Pollution Control Board; the coordination of health programs and facilities with Federal and State governments. Promoting a healthy environment and the elimination of pollution. All matters relating to the Department of Human Services and its departmental boards; the care and placing of dependent, mentally disabled, neglected, incorrigible and delinquent children and the mentally disabled, aged, infirm and destitute adults whose support ifs maintained out of the City Treasury or out of other funds which are administered by City Boards or Commissions; and matters relating to the City penal, reformatory and correctional institutions, homes for the indigent and other welfare institutions operated by the City. All matters relating to the rehabilitation and treatment of narcotic and drug addicts.
Chair
Cindy Bass
Vice Chair
David Oh
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Isaiah Thomas, Kendra Brooks, Michael Driscoll, Sharon Vaughn, Quetcy M. Lozada
View past hearings of the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.
Responsibility
All matters relating to City property and buildings, excluding Fairmount Park and other City parks; the cleaning, maintenance and repair of the same; the organization and assignment of all court rooms, Council meeting rooms, adequate office space in connection with the efficient operation of the same; the assignment of office space, storage space and other buildings owned or leased by the City for City use; all matters relating to the Department of Records, all matters relating to the Gas Commission; the City water and sewage disposal systems; and matters relating to the furnishing of gas, electricity, and steam from City facilities wherein such facilities are not under lease to others.
Chair
Quetcy M. Lozada
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Jamie Gauthier, David Oh, Michael Driscoll, Jim Harrity, Sharon Vaughn
View past hearings of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the Police and Fire Departments, civilian defense and its coordination with Federal and State governments; fire codes and fire prevention programs. Matters relating to the illegal use and possession of narcotics and drugs, cooperation with law enforcement agencies, Courts, Departments of Public health and Department of Public Welfare and educational and research organizations to control and prevent the illegal traffic in and use of narcotics and drugs.
Chair
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Vice Chair
Kenyatta Johnson
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Isaiah Thomas, Jamie Gauthier, Kendra Brooks, Jim Harrity, Quetcy M. Lozada
View past hearings of the Committee on Public Safety.
Responsibility
The Committee shall make recommendations designed to improve and expedite the business and procedure of Council, and its committees, propose to Council any amendments to the rules deemed necessary regarding the organization of the Council, including the rules of parliamentary procedure. It may consider any matters of a general nature. All matters relating to municipal development and zoning, the City Planning Commission, Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, the Art Commission and such other matters on the Council President may determine.
Chair
Kenyatta Johnson
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
David Oh, Cindy Bass, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Curtis Jones, Jr., Brian J. O’Neill
View past hearings of the Committee on Rules.
Responsibility
All matters relating to the Department of Streets and its departmental boards; more specifically City streets, bridges, alleyways and driveways, the roads and drives in Fairmount Park; the light of the same; sanitation as to the general cleanliness and health of the City as it relates to the above City streets, etc., including the cleaning of the City streets, the removal and disposal of ashes, garbage, refuse, ice and snow, and the construction, repair, maintenance and operation of incinerators for the disposition of ashes, garbage and refuse; traffic engineering regulations, as to traffic flow and parking on City streets and on the roads and drives in Fairmount Park; the establishment of traffic signs, signals, markings and devices for the regulation and control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic; and all matters relating to the surveying functions of the City.
Chair
Isaiah Thomas
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
Cindy Bass, David Oh, Kendra Brooks, Kenyatta Johnson, Katherine Gilmore Richardson
View past hearings of the Committee on Streets and Services.
Responsibility
All matters relating to City information technology planning and implementation; how appropriate technologies can assist in making the City safe and livable for all; increasing technological literacy of City residents and improving their access to technology.
Chair
Brian J. O’Neill
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members
Isaiah Thomas, Michael Driscoll, Sharon Vaughn, Anthony Phillips. Jim Harrity
View past hearings of the Committee on Technology and information Services.
Responsibility
All matters relating to transportation facilities of any kind and the charges, regulations and operations of same. Relations with the State Public Utility Commission and the Federal Interstate Commerce Commission; matters relating to tolls and charges on State, Federal and Interstate bridges and highways.
Chair
Kenyatta Johnson
Vice Chair
Mark Squilla
Members (Consisting of not less than five (5) members)
David Oh, Kendra Brooks, Curtis Jones, Jr., Anthony Phillips, Sharon Vaughn
View past hearings of the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities.