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D.C. Home Rule: Local Control Over Clemency for District Crimes.

This bill transfers full authority over the clemency process (including pardons, sentence commutations, and fine remissions) for crimes committed under District of Columbia laws to the local D.C. government. This means that D.C. residents convicted under local law will have their clemency applications handled according to rules established directly by their locally elected officials. The change significantly increases the District's autonomy in judicial matters.
Key points
The local government of the District of Columbia gains exclusive authority to grant clemency, sentence commutations, and fine remissions for D.C. offenses.
The clemency process will be governed by laws enacted by the District of Columbia itself, rather than federal authorities.
This change applies to all D.C. crimes, regardless of when they were committed, potentially affecting individuals already convicted.
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Introduced
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_HR_5698
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Process start date: 2025-10-06
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_HR_5698.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-10-06.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The local government of the District of Columbia gains exclusive authority to grant clemency, sentence commutations, and fine remissions for D.C. offenses.
  • The clemency process will be governed by laws enacted by the District of Columbia itself, rather than federal authorities.
  • This change applies to all D.C. crimes, regardless of when they were committed, potentially affecting individuals already convicted.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-23.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Local Government