WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

B 26-0672

Volunteer Services Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

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

Clarifies that the Attorney General’s Office has explicit authority to regulate and use volunteers, aligning volunteer rules with the AG’s operations.

Act A26-0336 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 008200, Expires on Aug 27, 2026
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · B 26-0672

Summary of Bill B 26-0672: Volunteer Services Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • This is an emergency amendment to the District of Columbia’s Volunteers Services Act of 1977.
  • The primary aim is to clarify the authority of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia to promulgate regulations governing the use of volunteers by the Attorney General’s office.

Key Provisions

  1. Specific Regulatory Authority Clarification

    • Amends Section 3 of the Volunteers Services Act of 1977.
    • Replaces the phrase “District of Columbia Board of Education” with a longer strand: “District of Columbia Board of Education, Attorney General for the District of Columbia,” thereby explicitly including the Attorney General’s office in the regulatory framework for volunteers.
    • This clarifies that the Attorney General has authority to promulgate regulations concerning the use of volunteers.

  2. Emergency Status and Applicability

    • The act is designated as an emergency measure.
    • Applicability date: April 15, 2026, meaning the provisions apply as of that date.

  3. Effective Date and Duration

    • Effective upon the Mayor’s approval (or upon Council override of a mayoral veto).
    • Temporary duration: remains in effect for no longer than 90 days, consistent with emergency acts’ limitations under the DC Home Rule Act.

  4. Fiscal Impact

    • The Council adopts the Budget Director’s fiscal impact statement as the official fiscal impact assessment for the act.

Affected Entities

  • Attorney General for the District of Columbia (clarified authority over volunteer regulations and use of volunteers within the AG’s office).
  • District of Columbia Board of Education (mentioned in the existing statute, retained in the amendment as part of the updated phrase referencing the AG’s regulatory scope).

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Introduction: Bill introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto (with a co-sponsor).
  • Action History: Retained by the Council as of May 5, 2026; introduced on April 30, 2026.
  • Emergency Nature: The act is designed to take effect quickly and remain in force for up to 90 days, subject to Mayor’s approval or Council action on a veto.
  • Sunset/Duration: The emergency status implies temporary operation; it expires after the 90-day period unless extended by following statutory processes.

Practical Impact

  • Provides clear regulatory authority for the AG’s office to establish rules governing volunteer usage.
  • Aligns regulatory responsibilities with the modern structure of the AG’s operations by explicitly including the AG in the scope of volunteer regulations.
  • Likely aims to facilitate more standardized volunteer engagement within the AG’s office and ensure compliance with DC law.

If you would like, I can add a plain-language example of how this change might affect volunteer programs or outline potential compliance considerations for the AG’s office.

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

Sign in to ask a question.