Rules committee adopts changes to City Council rules 7 and 63 after public comment on offensive language

The Los Angeles City Council Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted 4-0 Monday to adopt amendments to Council Rules 7 and 63, measures the committee said are intended to limit use of offensive language during public comment.

The changes were moved by Committee Chair Councilmember Marqueece Harris‑Dawson and seconded by Councilmember Price (second not present in committee roll call). Committee members Nithya Raman, Zev Yaroslavsky and Council President Nury Martinez voted yes; Councilmember Lee was recorded absent. The committee approved the motion on a voice/roll call vote recorded as four ayes.

Supporters told the committee the rule changes will make City Hall a more respectful and accessible venue for community members, particularly young people. "Every day I walk into school filled with brilliant, resilient young minds," said Raheel (Rogelio) Sanchez Jr., identified in public comment as principal of Burton Tech High School. "They deserve that city that sees their worth, protects their dignity."

Other education leaders echoed that message. "When hate speech is allowed to show up in a city hall meeting, spaces that are meant for civic progress and community healing, we fail them," said Zitzel Ronson, identified as assistant principal of Vernon Tech High School.

Workers and residents who regularly attend meetings also supported the change. "We believe strongly in the right of free speech and the right to protest," said Paloma Orta, who identified herself as a station attendant at Flying Food Group, "but the frequent use of racial epithets at these meetings makes it impossible for some of us to meaningfully participate."

Several public commenters opposed the amendments or raised concerns. An unnamed commenter argued the language of the proposed changes was vague and asked how people with disabilities would be accommodated under federal disability law; the commenter asked to meet with city counsel outside the record to discuss legal citations. One other public speaker criticized the rule changes as an attempt to silence dissent and questioned the timing and distribution of written comments submitted on the motion.

The committee record shows the proposed changes reference Council Rules 7 and 63. The clerk read into the record that public comment is limited to one minute per agenda item (up to two minutes total if speaking on multiple items) and one minute of general public comment for regular meetings.

The committee advanced the changes with no further amendment and referred implementation language to appropriate offices for any necessary administrative updates. No enforcement mechanics beyond the rule change language were described in committee discussion.

The City Council Rules Committee plans to move remaining procedural items and referrals to the full council or to other committees as appropriate. The committee recessed after completing the consent calendar and the three substantive items on its agenda.