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B26-0723 • 2025

Language Access Rulemaking Authority Amendment Act of 2026

Language Access Rulemaking Authority Amendment Act of 2026

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
at the request of the Mayor
Last action
2026-07-14
Official status
Under Council Review
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill is currently under Council review and has been referred to a committee; it is not yet law.

Language Access Rulemaking Authority Amendment Act of 2026

This bill changes the Language Access Act of 2004 to give the Mayor the power to create rules needed to carry out that law.

What This Bill Does

  • Amends Section 6 of the Language Access Act of 2004 by adding a new subsection (c).
  • Requires the Mayor to issue rules under Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act.
  • States these rules are needed to implement the provisions of the Language Access Act.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Mayor of the District of Columbia

Terms To Know

Rulemaking Authority
The legal power to create official regulations that explain how a law works.
Language Access Act of 2004
An existing District of Columbia law regarding language services and access, effective June 19, 2004.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not list the specific rules the Mayor must create.
  • The act applies as if it started on June 19, 2004, but will only take effect after approval by the Mayor and a 30-day congressional review period.

Bill History

  1. 2026-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Referred to Committee on Public Works and Operations

  2. 2026-07-10 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0723 Published in the District of Columbia Register

  3. 2026-07-01 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    B26-0723 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Language Access Rulemaking Authority Amendment Act of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
July 1, 2026
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
Enclosed for consideration and adoption by the Council of the District of Columbia are the
"Language Access Rulemaking Authority Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026",
"Language Access Rulemaking Authority Emergency Amendment Act of 2026", "Language
Access Rulemaking Authority Temporary Amendment Act of2026", and "Language Access
Rulemaking Act of 2026".
The proposed legislation amends the Language Access Act of 2004 to authorize the Mayor to
issue rules to implement the act.
My administration is available to answer any questions you may have regarding this legislation.
In order to facilitate a response to any question you may have, please contact Elizabeth Fox­
Solomon, Interim Director, OHR, at (202) 727-4559, or at elizabeth.fox-solomon@dc.gov.
I urge the Council to take prompt and favorable action on the enclosed legislation.
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at the 1eqnest of the· Mayor
ABILL
INTHE OOUNCIL OF 'IllE DJSTIUCI OF COLUAOIA
16 To amend tbelanguag~Acoess.Act of2004 m authorize tbeMa:yarto issue rules to implemmt
17 the pro\-isiom o,f that act
IS
]9 BE rr EN!A.CTED BY nm COUNCIL OF 1HE DIS,TRICT OF COLUMBIA. '1lmt1bis
20 act may be cited as the ulmguage Aooeu Ru]emalnng Authority Arne:odmem Act of 20]6.,,_
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22 Sec. 2. Section 6 of the Language !A.ocess Act,o:f2004~ effective Jmre 19, 2004 (D.C. Law
23 15-167; D.C. Qfficia] Code§ 2-1935). is amended by adding a new subsecli.an (c) to 1ea.d as
24 fullows:
25 "(c) The M 'ayor, pUI'Slilant to Title Iofthe Dimict ofC oll.umhlaAdmin.isbativeProoednre
26 Act, approved October 21. 1968 (82 Sb.t 1104; D .C . Official Code § 2-501 et seq.). shaU issue
27 rules m implemeflJt the prm.isions of tlris: act.,..
28 Sec. 3, .App!licability.
29 This .act Jball apply as of June· 19, 2004.
30 Sec. 4. Fiscal impact state-.mm.
:n Ile Comtci1 .ad.opts. the fiscal impact ,statement in ·the committee report as tire :fiscal
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impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 32
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 33
Sec. 5. Effective date. 34
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 35
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional 36
review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved 37
December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 38