To prohibit the District of Columbia from requiring tribunals in court or administrative proceedings in the District of Columbia to defer to the Mayor of the District of Columbia's interpretation of statutes and regulations, and for other purposes.

Summary of HR 3766

Bill Number: HR 3766

Title: To prohibit the District of Columbia from requiring tribunals in court or administrative proceedings in the District of Columbia to defer to the Mayor of the District of Columbia's interpretation of statutes and regulations, and for other purposes.

Status: Introduced in House

Introduced: June 05, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 3766 is to limit the authority of the Mayor of the District of Columbia and associated agencies in legal and administrative proceedings. Specifically, the bill seeks to ensure that courts and administrative tribunals do not defer to the interpretations of statutes and regulations made by the Mayor or his agencies. This aims to enhance judicial independence and ensure that legal interpretations are subject to thorough review rather than automatic acceptance of the Mayor's views.

Key Provisions

HR 3766 includes the following significant provisions:

1. Prohibition on Deference:

   • The bill explicitly prohibits any reviewing tribunal in the District of Columbia from deferring to the Mayor's or an agency's interpretation of statutes or regulations during:
     • Judicial reviews of orders or decisions made by the Mayor or agencies.
     • Reviews of rules adopted by the Mayor or agencies.

2. Repeal of Previous Legislation:

   • The bill repeals the Review of Agency Action Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25–290).
   • It restores any provisions of law that were amended or repealed by this Act, effectively reinstating prior legal standards regarding agency interpretations.

Impact

Who Would Be Affected?

• Judicial and Administrative Tribunals: Courts and administrative bodies in the District of Columbia would be required to independently assess the interpretations of statutes and regulations without deference to the Mayor.
• Mayor and Agencies: The Mayor and various District agencies would have their interpretations of laws scrutinized more rigorously, potentially impacting their regulatory authority and decision-making processes.
• Legal Practitioners and Litigants: Lawyers and individuals involved in legal proceedings against the Mayor or agencies may find that they have greater opportunities to challenge interpretations of laws and regulations.

Procedural Aspects

• Committee Referral: Upon introduction, HR 3766 was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for further consideration.
• Timeline: The bill was introduced on June 05, 2025, and is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.

Sponsors

• Primary Sponsor: Harriet M. Hageman
• Cosponsor: Scott Fitzgerald

This summary provides a clear overview of HR 3766, outlining its intent, key provisions, and potential impacts on the governance and legal landscape of the District of Columbia.