Dear New Yorkers,
Testifying before the City Council is an important act of civic engagement during which city residents make their voices and unique perspectives heard on the public record. You have the right to testify during public hearings as a resident of this city, regardless of immigration status. Whether you choose to testify during a budget hearing in favor of increased funding for sanitation services, on behalf of funding pilot programs to increase efficiencies in the school lunch program, or before a committee on proposed legislation that would require cruise ships to connect to shore power and reduce emissions, your voice is critical.
The Council Office of Alexa Avilés would like to offer the following guidance for you to consider before testifying at city hall. First, let’s take a step back and define the governmental bodies at play and their powers as you weigh how to frame your testimony.
The NYC Council is a legislative body that drafts laws and serves in an oversight capacity on the executive branch. Much like how the federal government has Congress and a President, in New York City, we have Council and a Mayor.
The executive branch, or the Mayor’s office, is responsible for implementing the laws and administering all of the City agencies. These agencies include but are not limited to: the Department of Transportation (DOT), The Department of Sanitation (DSNY), The Department of City Planning (DCP), etc.
Submitting In-Person Testimony
If you would like to testify in person at a public hearing, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Fill out the Hearing Testimony Registration Form on the Council Website. Hearing Testimony Registration – New York City Council (nyc.gov)
Step 1 (Alternative): In-person hearings do not require pre-registration. If you are attending a hearing and wish to testify, but have not already registered online, you may sign up with the Sergeant-At-Arms when you arrive. You’ll find them toward the back of the hearing room at a table where they will be able to assist you.
Step 2: Be sure to track the committee hearing date and time, using the NYCC Calendar – The New York City Council – Calendar (nyc.gov), as these are subject to change. Also verify the location of the hearing (available on the calendar), and whether it is taking place in City Hall Chambers, City Hall Committee Room, 250 Broadway 14th Floor Hearing Room, or 250 Broadway 16th Floor Hearing Room.
Submitting Online Testimony
If you would like to testify virtually at a public hearing via Zoom, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Fill out the Hearing Testimony Registration Form on the Council Website. Hearing Testimony Registration – New York City Council (nyc.gov)
Step 2: Be sure to track the committee hearing date and time, using the NYCC Calendar – The New York City Council – Calendar (nyc.gov), as these are subject to change.
Step 3: Before the start of the hearing, you will receive a Zoom link. Log on at the appropriate start time, and wait until you are called upon by the Committee Chair to give your testimony.
Submitting Written Testimony
If you would like to ONLY submit written testimony for a public hearing, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Fill out the Hearing Testimony Registration Form on the Council Website. Hearing Testimony Registration – New York City Council (nyc.gov)
Step 2: In the Registration Form, you will be prompted to submit a file of your written testimony. If the document is hand-written, you must scan or take a photo of the document and then upload it to the website for submission.
Please note the following when submitting written testimony:
- Written testimony may be as long as you wish and must be submitted at the link above up to 72 hours after the hearing has been adjourned.
- The City Council only accepts written testimony submitted in a commonly available file format (including .doc, .rtf, .txt, and, .pdf).
- Links to video or audio files may be included in the written testimony, provided that a transcript of each such video/audio file also be included in such testimony. The City Council will not play pre-recorded testimony from members of the public at hearings.
What to expect during your testimony
On the day of the hearing, if you are testifying in person, you will be required to go through security before entering the building. After entering the building, you may make your way to the hearing room. Hearings take place in one of the following locations and should be listed on the committee calendar, the main City Hall Council Chamber, the City Hall Committee room, 250 Broadway 14th floor hearing room, and the 250 Broadway 16th floor hearing room.
Typically, the chair of the committee gives an opening statement, then administration officials (City Agency Staff including commissioners, assistant commissioners, or unit directors) give an opening statement, and then all council members in attendance ask questions. The administration’s portion can take several hours! We encourage you to bring water and some snacks. But please note that individuals are not allowed to eat or drink in the Hearing Room, so you will have to bring it outside of the room. Some committees as a courtesy allow a few members of the public to testify first, but this is not a standard practice across committees. If you are testifying over Zoom, you are welcome to leave your camera off until you are called upon to give your testimony.
Only after the administration’s portion is completed will public testimony begin. Committee staff will then begin calling for public testimony. During your in-person or online testimony, the Chair of the Committee will allow you two minutes to give your testimony. The Sergeant-At-Arms will notify you when you can begin, and they will start the clock. If your testimony runs over two minutes, the Chair may allow you to continue and give you additional time at their discretion, however, they may also end your testimony at the 2-minute buzzer.
After giving your testimony, the Committee Chair and/or Council Members on the Committee may ask you follow-up questions about your testimony. Please be advised that any information you provide in your comment or testimony will be publicly available and will remain part of the public record.
Also note, during your testimony you will not be addressing members of the administration. It is common that following their portion, administration officials leave the hearing room.
For all other questions in reference to hearings, email hearings@council.nyc.gov or call 212-482-4219.
As always my office is here to be your guide through local government. Give us a call at (718) 439-9012 or email us at district38@council/nyc.gov.
With gratitude,
Alexa Avilés
Council Member
District 38