Bill strips DC Mayor and agencies of automatic win in legal disputes over local rules
Placed on the calendarH.R. 3766Latest action
Sponsor: Harriet M. Hageman · Representative · WY
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official 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.
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
HR 3766 bans DC courts from automatically deferring to the Mayor or city agencies when interpreting DC laws and regulations.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 3766 prohibits courts and official decision-makers in Washington DC from being required to accept the Mayor's or a city agency's interpretation of local laws and regulations. Judges would instead have to read and interpret those laws independently. The bill also repeals a recent DC law that had moved in the opposite direction.
Who does it affect?
DC residents, businesses, and individuals who challenge city government decisions would be affected, as would the DC government itself. Congress is using its special authority over Washington DC to make these changes, which it cannot do with state courts.
Why does it matter?
When agencies can define their own rules in disputes, they hold a structural advantage over the people and businesses challenging them. Requiring courts to interpret laws independently shifts that balance and makes courts a more independent check on the Mayor and city agencies.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJun 5, 2025
- House committee
- House voteYou are here · May 13, 2026
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 565.