Bill Summary
The "District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at amending the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to allow the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit legislative acts to Congress electronically, rather than solely in paper format.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Electronic Submission**: The bill modifies existing sections of the Home Rule Act to explicitly permit the Chairman to send acts and charter amendments in electronic form, expanding the options for how legislation can be submitted to Congress.
2. **Congressional Acceptance**: It establishes that both the House of Representatives and the Senate will treat electronically transmitted acts the same as those submitted in paper form, ensuring that electronic submissions are recognized and processed in the same manner.
3. **Rulemaking Authority**: The bill asserts that this change is made under the rulemaking powers of Congress, allowing it to set the procedures regarding how these acts are received and processed.
Overall, the legislation aims to modernize the legislative process for the District of Columbia by enabling faster and more efficient communication with Congress.
Possible Impacts
The "District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act" has the potential to affect people in several ways:
1. **Increased Efficiency in Legislative Processes**: By allowing the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit acts electronically, the legislative process may become more efficient. This could lead to faster consideration and enactment of laws, benefiting residents by expediting the implementation of new policies and regulations that address their needs.
2. **Greater Accessibility to Legislative Information**: The electronic transmission of acts may enhance public access to legislative documents. Residents and stakeholders can more easily view and track legislation, fostering greater civic engagement and transparency in government, as people can stay informed about new laws and proposals affecting their community.
3. **Cost Savings**: The shift from paper to electronic submissions can lead to cost savings for the District of Columbia government. These savings could potentially be redirected toward public services or community programs, ultimately benefiting residents by improving local services or funding initiatives that enhance quality of life.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2693 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2693
To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to permit the Chairman
of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit Acts of the
District of Columbia to Congress in electronic form.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 7, 2025
Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to permit the Chairman
of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit Acts of the
District of Columbia to Congress in electronic form.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``District of Columbia Electronic
Transmittal of Legislation Act''.
SEC. 2. PERMITTING DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO TRANSMIT ACTS OF DISTRICT IN
ELECTRONIC FORM.
(a) Acts of Council.--Section 602(c) of the District of Columbia
Home Rule Act (sec. 1-206.02(c), D.C. Official Code) is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) The Chairman of the Council may transmit an Act under this
subsection in such form as the Chairman may choose, including
electronic form.''.
(b) Charter Amendments.--Section 303 of such Act (sec. 1-203.03,
D.C. Official Code) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(e) The Chairman of the Council may submit an Act under this
section in such form as the Chairman may choose, including electronic
form.''.
SEC. 3. ACCEPTANCE BY HOUSE AND SENATE.
(a) Acceptance.--For purposes of determining whether the Chairman
of the Council of the District of Columbia has transmitted an Act to
Congress pursuant to section 602(c) of the District of Columbia Home
Rule Act (sec. 1-206.02(c), D.C. Official Code) or has submitted an Act
to Congress pursuant to section 303 of such Act (sec. 1-203.03, D.C.
Official Code), the House of Representatives and Senate shall treat
such an Act which the Chairman transmits or submits in electronic form
in the same manner as an Act which the Chairman submits in paper form.
(b) Exercise of Rulemaking Authority.--This section is enacted by
Congress--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is
deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but
applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in
that House in the case of Acts described in subsection (a), and
supersede other rules only to the extent that it is
inconsistent with such rules; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the
procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and
to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House.
<all>