This bill proposes to transfer the responsibility for prosecuting violations of District of Columbia laws from the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to a locally designated prosecutor's office. It achieves this by amending Section 23-101 of the D.C. Official Code, thereby altering the entity responsible for conducting these prosecutions. Specifically, the legislation mandates that prosecutions for all police or municipal ordinances, regulations, and penal statutes of the District of Columbia will be conducted by the head of a local prosecutor's office or their assistants. This local office must be formally designated under local D.C. law as the entity responsible for such prosecutions. The changes will apply to violations occurring after a one-year period, which commences once D.C. enacts a local law designating this office. The bill explicitly states that it does not affect the authority of the Attorney General of the United States or the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia concerning violations of federal laws. Additionally, it includes provisions to ensure that individuals who transition from the U.S. Attorney's office to the new local prosecutor's office will continue to receive their federal government benefits.
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E22)
Government Operations and Politics
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingDistrict of ColumbiaGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementIntergovernmental relationsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLegislative rules and procedureState and local government operations
District of Columbia Prosecutor Home Rule Act
USA119th CongressHR-356| House
| Updated: 1/13/2025
This bill proposes to transfer the responsibility for prosecuting violations of District of Columbia laws from the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to a locally designated prosecutor's office. It achieves this by amending Section 23-101 of the D.C. Official Code, thereby altering the entity responsible for conducting these prosecutions. Specifically, the legislation mandates that prosecutions for all police or municipal ordinances, regulations, and penal statutes of the District of Columbia will be conducted by the head of a local prosecutor's office or their assistants. This local office must be formally designated under local D.C. law as the entity responsible for such prosecutions. The changes will apply to violations occurring after a one-year period, which commences once D.C. enacts a local law designating this office. The bill explicitly states that it does not affect the authority of the Attorney General of the United States or the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia concerning violations of federal laws. Additionally, it includes provisions to ensure that individuals who transition from the U.S. Attorney's office to the new local prosecutor's office will continue to receive their federal government benefits.
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingDistrict of ColumbiaGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementIntergovernmental relationsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLegislative rules and procedureState and local government operations