S. 4150: District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2026

This bill is titled the District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2026. It seeks to amend the existing District of Columbia Home Rule Act and contains several key provisions regarding the oversight of laws and regulations in Washington, D.C.

60-Day Congressional Review Period

The bill establishes a uniform 60-day period during which Congress can review new laws passed by the District of Columbia's local government. Previously, this period was 30 days. The review period would start when the law is transmitted to Congress.

Changes to Procedures for Disapproving D.C. Laws

The bill clarifies the process for Congress to disapprove D.C. laws, making it easier to utilize expedited procedures. This includes:

• Changes in how resolutions of disapproval are referred and considered in both the House and Senate.
• Allowing faster discharge from committees if they do not report a resolution within 20 days.
• Setting specific rules for debate and voting on disapproval resolutions.

Disapproval of Specific Provisions

Congress would have the authority not just to disapprove entire laws, but also specific provisions within those laws. This means if Congress finds a part of a D.C. law objectionable, it could target just that part for disapproval.

Executive Orders and Regulations

The bill also extends the disapproval process to executive orders and regulations issued by the Mayor of D.C. It mandates that the Mayor must submit all such executive orders and regulations to Congress, and they cannot take effect for 60 days unless Congress does not pass a disapproval resolution. If such a resolution is passed, the order or regulation would be deemed repealed as of the date the resolution is enacted.

Restrictions on the D.C. Council

Once an act has been transmitted to Congress, the D.C. Council is prohibited from withdrawing it during the review period. Additionally, if Congress disapproves a piece of legislation, the D.C. Council cannot transmit another law that is substantially similar without specific authorization from Congress.

Annual Reporting Requirement

The bill requires that the Chair of the D.C. Council and the Mayor appear before specific Congressional committees at least once a year to provide a report on the state of D.C. and any recommendations for improvements or necessary changes.

Effective Date

The provisions of this bill would apply to acts transmitted to Congress under the Home Rule Act and to executive orders and regulations submitted by the Mayor after the bill's enactment.

Relevant Companies

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