Bill · S. 4150· Senate(119-S-4150)
District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/19/2026
- Last activity
- 3/19/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Scott
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2026," seeks to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. It establishes a uniform 60-day congressional review period for District laws and clarifies expedited procedures for resolutions of disapproval. The legislation authorizes Congress to use resolutions of disapproval to target specific provisions of District laws rather than entire acts. Additionally, it extends this authority to include the Mayor's executive orders and regulations. Finally, it implements requirements for annual hearings and reports regarding the state of the District.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill mandates annual hearings and reports from the D.C. Council Chair and the Mayor to specific Congressional committees.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-7
The bill reduces local autonomy by increasing the congressional review period from 30 to 60 days and allowing the disapproval of specific provisions or executive orders.
Would people in cities be better off under this?-5
The bill limits the legislative and regulatory autonomy of the District of Columbia's local government.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Congressional Oversight of Local Regulations: The bill requires the Mayor to transmit all executive orders and regulations to Congress, creating a period where these can be reviewed (Section 5).
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Greater Precision in Legislative Review: Congress can now disapprove specific provisions within a law rather than having to reject an entire act, which could allow for more targeted oversight (Section s 4).
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Mandatory Annual Accountability: The Chair of the D.C. Council and the Mayor are required to appear at annual hearings before specific Congressional committees to report on the state of the District (Section 8).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Extended Delay for Local Laws: The review period for District laws is increased from 30 days to 60 days, which could delay the implementation of local legislation (Section 2).
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Restriction on Emergency Legislation: Acts that the Council designates as emergency circumstances may no longer be exempt from certain review requirements if the Council attempts to extend their effectiveness (Section 2).
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Limitations on Local Legislative Authority: The Council is prohibited from transmitting new acts that are substantially the same as an act previously disapproved by a joint resolution (Section 7).
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Loss of Local Control over Executive Actions: The Mayor's executive orders and regulations are now subject to a 60-day review period and potential disapproval by Congress (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increase States Rights-7
- 3/19/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee