Plain English Breakdown
The official text states the act expires on May 1, 2025, but also says it remains effective for no longer than 90 days after taking effect; the exact start date of effectiveness is not provided in the source material.
Residential Tranquility Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025
This emergency law bans using loudspeakers to target homes for demonstrations between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., prohibits throwing objects at residential property with the intent to scare or retaliate, and changes term expiration dates for certain council appointments.
What This Bill Does
- Defines a sound amplifying device as any machine that boosts voice, music, or other sounds, excluding car stereos used only inside vehicles, hearing aids, and headphones.
- Prohibits using sound amplifying devices to target homes for demonstrations between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in Residential Zones, Residential Flat Zones, or Residential Apartment Zones.
- Makes it unlawful to continue or restart targeting a home with amplified sound after being told by law enforcement to stop.
- Bans launching or throwing projectiles onto another person's residential property if the goal is to cause fear, intimidate, or retaliate against people living or working there.
- Sets penalties for violating the projectile ban at a fine determined by existing criminal fine laws, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
- Changes the term expiration date for Council appointments to the Corrections Information Council to December 7 of the year the term ends.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who use sound amplifying devices during demonstrations near homes
- Individuals living in Residential Zones, Residential Flat Zones, or Residential Apartment Zones in Washington, D.C.
- Anyone throwing objects at another person's home with intent to cause fear or retaliation
- Council members appointed to the Corrections Information Council
Terms To Know
- Sound amplifying device
- Any machine, device, or loudspeaker that makes human voice, music, or other sounds louder. This does not include car audio systems heard only by people inside the vehicle, personal hearing aids, or headphones.
- Residential Zones
- Areas defined in D.C. zoning regulations as Residential Zones, Residential Flat Zones, or Residential Apartment Zones where homes are located.
Limits and Unknowns
- This act is an emergency measure and will remain in effect for no longer than 90 days after it takes effect.
- The law does not specify the exact dollar amount of fines, stating only that they follow amounts set in a separate criminal fine proportionality law.