HR 4445 — District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act

Summary

District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act This bill expands congressional authority to review and disapprove District of Columbia laws. For example, it authorizes Congress to use resolutions of disapproval to disapprove specific provisions of District law. It also expands from 30 days to 60 days the time period for Congress to review laws of the District before the laws may take effect. Additionally, the bill revises the expedited parliamentary procedures available to Congress for the consideration of resolutions of disapproval.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html September 20, 2019

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to change the congressional review period for D.C. laws from 30 to 60 days and allows Congress to disapprove specific provisions of such laws.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  the 30-calendar-day period (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and any day on which neither House is in session because of an adjournment sine die, a recess of more than three days, or an adjournment of more than three days) beginning on the day such act is transmitted → the 60-day period (excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Congress) beginning on the day such act is transmitted

  This change extends the congressional review period for laws passed by the District of Columbia from 30 days to 60 days.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  such 30-day period → such 60-day period

  This change consistently updates the text to reflect the new 60-day review period.

• sec. 1-206.02(c), D.C. Official Code

  paragraph (2)

  This change removes the alternative review period for acts affecting criminal laws, eliminating a separate procedural path.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  such act shall take effect → such act and each provision thereof

  This change specifies that both the act and its individual provisions are subject to disapproval.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  a joint resolution disapproving such act → a joint resolution disapproving such act or any provision thereof

  This change allows Congress to disapprove not just whole acts, but specific provisions within those acts.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  disapproving such an act → disapproving such an act or any provision thereof

  This change clarifies that Congress has the authority to disapprove specific provisions of an act.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  to have repealed such act → to have repealed such act or such provision (as the case may be)

  This change emphasizes that disapproval can apply to specific provisions, not just the entire act.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  disapproving such act → disapproving such act or any provision thereof

  This change reinforces the ability to disapprove specific parts of legislation.

• sec. 1-206.02(c)(1), D.C. Official Code

  The enactment of a resolution disapproving a provision of an act pursuant to this paragraph may not be construed to repeal any of the remaining provisions of the act.

  This addition clarifies that disapproving one provision does not affect the other provisions of the act.

• sec. 1-206.04, D.C. Official Code

  subsections (c) through (j) → <new procedural rules>

  This change introduces new and clarified procedures for handling resolutions of disapproval in Congress, streamlining the process.

Action History

1. September 20, 2019

   Introduced in House

2. September 20, 2019

   Introduced in House

3. September 20, 2019

   Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

4. September 20, 2019

   Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsors

• Mark Meadows · Cosponsor
• Ralph Norman · Cosponsor
• Paul A. Gosar · Primary

Subjects