Plain English Breakdown
The official text states the law remains in effect for no longer than 90 days, but does not specify an exact expiration date beyond that duration.
Clemency Board Waiver Authority Emergency Amendment Act of 2026
This law allows the District of Columbia Clemency Board to skip a five-year waiting period for pardon applicants if they receive written notice that federal officials have already granted such a waiver.
What This Bill Does
- Amends Section 205 of the Clemency Board Establishment Act of 2018 by adding new rules about waivers.
- Allows the Clemency Board to grant a waiver of the five-year waiting period for pardon applicants upon written request from the applicant.
- Requires the Board to receive notice from the Office of the Pardon Attorney that federal officials waived the requirement before granting one locally.
- Lets the Board ask for more information or meet with an applicant to discuss their waiver request.
- Stops all action on a pardon application until the Board decides whether to grant or deny the waiver.
Who It Names or Affects
- People in Washington, D.C. who apply for a pardon from the Clemency Board.
- The District of Columbia Clemency Board members and staff.
- The Office of the Pardon Attorney within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Terms To Know
- Clemency Board
- A group in Washington, D.C., that reviews requests for pardons and other relief from criminal penalties.
- Waiver
- An official permission to ignore a specific rule or requirement, such as waiting five years before applying.
- Pardon Attorney
- A federal lawyer in the Department of Justice who handles requests for presidential pardons and related waivers.
Limits and Unknowns
- The Board cannot grant a waiver if the applicant is currently on probation, parole, or supervised release.
- This law expires after 90 days unless extended by new legislation because it was passed as an emergency measure.
- The Clemency Board can still deny a waiver request even if federal officials have approved one.