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PR 26-0762

Volunteer Services Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Brooke Pinto

Declares an emergency to allow amending the Volunteers Services Act of 1977 so the DC Attorney General may regulate the use of volunteers without gaps during the transition.

Retained by the Council
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Bill Summary · PR 26-0762

Bill at a Glance

  • Bill: PR 26-0762 | Session: 26 | Jurisdiction: District of Columbia
  • Title: Volunteer Services Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026
  • Sponsor: Councilmember Brooke Pinto (also listed as co-sponsor)
  • Status: Introduced; retained by the Council as of July 14, 2026
  • Purpose: To declare an emergency for congressional review to amend the Volunteers Services Act of 1977, clarifying that the Attorney General for the District of Columbia has authority to promulgate regulations governing the Attorney General’s use of volunteers.

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution declares an emergency to facilitate Congressional review related to a change in DC law governing volunteer programs.
  • Specifically, it seeks to ensure there is no gap in the legal framework governing the use of volunteers by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in the District of Columbia.
  • It aims to authorize an emergency amendment (to be enacted after a single reading) so that regulatory authority is clear and immediate, pending the temporary act’s full effectiveness.

Key Provisions

  • Declaration of Emergency for Congressional Review: The resolution characterizes the need for an emergency measure to allow the Volunteers Services Act of 1977 to be amended so the DC Attorney General may promulgate regulations governing its use of volunteers.
  • Timing and Sequencing:
    • Emergency Act (May 5, 2026) was enacted and set to expire August 27, 2026.
    • Temporary Act (June 25, 2026) is projected to become law on September 19, 2026.
    • The proposed congressional review emergency legislation is intended to bridge the period between the expiration of the Emergency Act and the effective date of the Temporary Act.
  • Effective Date: The resolution itself would take effect immediately upon adoption.

Who/What is Affected

  • The District of Columbia Attorney General’s Office and its use of volunteers.
  • Volunteers engaged with or regulated under the Volunteers Services Act of 1977.
  • Entities operating under DC law that rely on regulations governing the use of volunteers by the OAG.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Mechanism: This is a resolution designed for Congressional review, enacted as an emergency measure to ensure regulatory continuity.
  • Immediate Effect: The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
  • Readiness for Review: The act seeks to satisfy emergency requirements so that regulatory authority remains in force during the transition between emergency and temporary acts.

Potential Impact

  • Regulatory Clarity: Clarifies that the Attorney General has authority to regulate the use of volunteers, reducing ambiguity during the transition period.
  • Public Administration Continuity: Aims to prevent gaps in enforcement or regulation regarding volunteers that work with the OAG.
  • Short-Term Legislative Risk: As an emergency resolution, it relies on rapid congressional review and may have limited time horizon tied to the emergency framework.

If you’d like, I can compare this proposal to the existing Volunteers Services Act of 1977 and summarize how the proposed amendment would alter current regulatory authority.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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