Plain English Breakdown
The official text states the act takes effect following Mayor approval (or veto override), but does not specify a calendar date for that event in the provided excerpt.
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 intent to cause fear or retaliate, and sets an expiration date 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 illegal to continue or restart targeting a home with loudspeakers 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 rule as a fine up to the amount set in existing criminal laws, jail time of no more than 90 days, or both.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who use sound amplifying devices during demonstrations near homes at night.
- Individuals who throw objects onto residential property with intent to cause fear or retaliation.
- Council members appointed to the Corrections Information Council regarding their term expiration dates.
Terms To Know
- Sound amplifying device
- Any machine, loudspeaker, or device that makes human voice, music, or other sounds louder. It does not include car audio systems heard only inside the vehicle, hearing aids, or headphones.
- Residential Zones
- Areas defined in District of Columbia 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 remains effective for no longer than 90 days after approval.
- The law expires on July 21, 2025, unless extended or replaced by new legislation.