Summary of HR 4670

Bill Number: HR 4670

Title: To subject emergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia Council to expedited congressional disapproval procedures

Status: Introduced in House

Introduced On: July 23, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 4670 is to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to establish expedited procedures for Congress to disapprove emergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia Council. This bill aims to enhance congressional oversight over emergency measures taken by the local government of Washington, D.C., ensuring that such actions can be reviewed and potentially overturned in a timely manner.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following amendments to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act:

1. Amendment to Section 412(a):

   • The bill specifies that emergency legislation enacted by the D.C. Council will only take effect after a period of ninety days unless a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted by Congress within that timeframe.

2. Amendment to Section 602(c):

   • The bill modifies the process for emergency legislation:
     • It removes the previous provision that allowed the Council to determine if an act should take effect immediately due to emergency circumstances.
     • It establishes that any emergency act transmitted by the Chairman of the Council will take effect immediately upon enactment.
     • The Chairman must transmit the act to both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate within three session days after enactment.

Who Would Be Affected

• District of Columbia Council: The bill directly impacts the legislative authority of the D.C. Council by altering how emergency legislation is enacted and reviewed.
• Congress: Members of Congress will have an expedited process to disapprove emergency legislation, increasing their role in local governance.
• Residents of Washington, D.C.: The bill may affect residents by changing how quickly emergency measures can be implemented or overturned, potentially impacting local governance and services.

Procedural Aspects

• Committee Referral: Upon introduction, HR 4670 was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, as well as the Committee on Rules, for consideration of provisions within their jurisdiction.
• Timeline: The bill was introduced on July 23, 2025, and will undergo further legislative processes, including committee reviews and potential amendments before any voting occurs.

Related Legislation

• S 2404: This bill has a companion bill in the Senate, indicating that similar legislative efforts are being pursued in both chambers of Congress.

This summary provides an overview of HR 4670, outlining its intent, key changes, and potential impacts on local governance in Washington, D.C.