Clemency Board Waiver Authority Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

Temporary law empowers the DC Clemency Board to waive certain petition rules to speed clemency decisions, with a sunset on Jan 21, 2026.

Law L26-0021, Effective from Jul 24, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008593, Expires on Jan 21, 2026

Main purpose

B 26-0037 is a temporary amendment that modifies the Clemency Board’s authority to grant waivers. The Act’s stated intent (as reflected in the bill title and legislative history) is to provide the Clemency Board with expanded or clarified waiver powers for a limited period to alter normal procedural or statutory requirements that apply to clemency petitions or Board processes.

Note: The full bill text is not included here. This summary is based on the bill title and the available legislative actions; for exact statutory language, consult Act A26‑0045 or Law L26‑0021 as published in the DC Register.

Key provisions and changes

Temporarily amends the Clemency Board’s waiver authority (i.e., authorizes the Board to waive specified requirements that would otherwise apply to clemency petitions or procedures).

Establishes a limited effective period for the amendment (see “Duration” below).

Implements administrative changes via the Act rather than a permanent re-write of the statute (the amendment is explicitly temporary/sunsetted).

(Exact procedural elements and the specific requirements that may be waived are not provided in the available document. Review the enacted text—Act A26‑0045 / Law L26‑0021—for detailed provisions.)

Who is affected

Individuals seeking clemency (petitioners) — potential broader or expedited access if certain procedural barriers are waived.

The District of Columbia Clemency Board and its staff — new, time-limited discretion and procedural responsibilities.

Legal counsel and service providers assisting petitioners.

Victims and other stakeholders in clemency proceedings (changes to waiver authority could affect timing and process).

DC criminal justice and corrections agencies to the extent Board actions change case dispositions or timelines.

Duration and procedural timeline

Introduced: January 10, 2025 (by Chairman Mendelson).

Council actions: retained with committee comments Jan 21; first reading Mar 4; notice Mar 7; final reading Apr 1.

Mayor: transmitted to Mayor Apr 7 (response due Apr 22); returned and signed Apr 22, 2025 (Act A26‑0045).

Transmitted to U.S. Congress: Apr 28, 2025 (per Home Rule Act requirements).

Publication: Act A26‑0045 published in DC Register Vol. 72 on Apr 25, 2025 (page 004888); Law L26‑0021 published in DC Register Vol. 72 on Aug 8, 2025 (page 008593).

Effective date: July 24, 2025.

Expiration (sunset): January 21, 2026 — the Act is temporary and stops applying after this date.

Potential impacts and considerations

Could expedite or broaden access to clemency relief during the effective period by permitting waivers of procedural hurdles.

May increase administrative discretion and reduce processing delays, but could raise concerns about consistency, transparency, or notice to victims.

Because the authority is temporary, longer-term policy effects depend on whether the Council later adopts a permanent change.

For the exact statutory amendments, waiver scope, and procedural safeguards, consult the enacted text: Act A26‑0045 / Law L26‑0021 as published in the DC Register.

Bill