Allows the District of Columbia to transmit legislation to Congress electronically, streamlining the process.
Eleanor Norton
Representative
DC
The "District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act" allows the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit Acts of the Council to Congress electronically. It ensures that Acts submitted electronically are treated the same as those submitted in paper form, streamlining the legislative process. This act updates the submission process for District legislation, making it more efficient. Congress retains the right to change these rules.
DC Council Gets Green Light for Electronic Bill Transmissions to Congress Under New Act
This bill, the "District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act," officially allows the Chairman of the D.C. Council to send approved legislation (Acts) over to the U.S. Congress electronically. It updates the process outlined in the D.C. Home Rule Act, specifically sections 602(c) and 303, giving the Council the flexibility to use digital formats instead of being restricted to paper.
Modernizing the Messenger
Think of this as updating the government's internal mail system. Instead of relying solely on physical paper copies shuttling between the D.C. Council and Capitol Hill, this Act permits the use of electronic files. Section 2 explicitly grants the Council Chairman the authority to choose the transmittal format, including digital options. It's a straightforward procedural change aimed at bringing legislative administration into the digital age.
How Congress Handles the E-Files
The bill ensures these electronic submissions aren't treated differently just because they aren't on paper. Section 3 states that both the House and Senate will accept these electronically transmitted Acts just as they would paper versions for the purposes laid out in the Home Rule Act. However, it also includes a standard clause noting that Congress retains the power to change these procedural rules for itself down the line. Essentially, it makes electronic transmission official and accepted, streamlining the process for now.