Bills · HR 356
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 356Law enforcement administration and fundingState and local government operations
District of Columbia Prosecutor Home Rule Act
INTRO JAN 13· LAST ACTION JAN 13
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it's a significant step towards greater "home rule" for Washington, D.C., giving the city more power to govern itself like states and other municipalities. Currently, the federal government, through the U.S. Attorney, has a large role in prosecuting local D.C. crimes, which is unusual for a major city. If this bill becomes law, D.C. would have more direct control over how its local laws are enforced and how its criminal justice system operates.
Voters should care because it could lead to D.C.'s local laws being prosecuted in a way that more closely aligns with local community values and priorities, rather than federal ones. If the bill doesn't become law, the current system of federal prosecutors handling many local D.C. crimes would remain in place, continuing a unique arrangement for the nation's capital.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Transfers the responsibility for prosecuting violations of D.C.'s local laws from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia to a newly established local D.C. prosecutor's office.
This provision is the core change, giving D.C. local control over its justice system for local crimes.
PROVISION 02
Clarifies that the U.S. Attorney and Attorney General would still retain authority to prosecute violations of federal laws within D.C.
This ensures that federal jurisdiction over federal crimes is not affected by the change in local prosecution.
PROVISION 03
Stipulates that the changes will take effect one year after a local D.C. law is passed to officially designate the new local prosecutor's office.
This provides a transition period for D.C. to establish its new office and ensures a smooth handover of responsibilities.
PROVISION 04
Allows employees of the U.S. Attorney's office who transfer to the new local D.C. prosecutor's office to continue receiving their federal government benefits.
This protects the financial and retirement security of experienced legal professionals during the transition.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· District of Columbia
YRS IN OFFICE
35
BILLS LED
114
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSJAN 13
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E22)
JAN 13
Introduced in House
JAN 13
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 356
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 13, 2025
Last actionJan 13, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 13, 2025
House BillHR 356Law enforcement administration and fundingState and local government operations
District of Columbia Prosecutor Home Rule Act
INTRODUCED JAN 13, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 13, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
