Tagged: district of columbia

Capitol Remembrance ActThis bill requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to design and install in a prominent location in the U.S. Capitol a permanent exhibit that depicts the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.To the extent possible, the AOC must preserve property that was damaged during the attack and include it in the exhibit. The AOC must also include (1) existing photographic records relating to the attack; and (2) a plaque to honor the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies that protected the Capitol, the individuals who died or sustained injuries to protect the Capitol, and the staff who helped restore the Capitol complex after the attack.The exhibit shall be installed within two years after the bill's enactment. 

Hershel "Woody" Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location ActThis bill requires the authorized monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients to be located within the Reserve (the great cross-axis of the National Mall, which generally extends from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial).

Venue Named Under Exception Act or the VENUE ActThis bill changes the venue rules for cases involving criminal offenses on federal property in the National Capital Region. Venue refers to the court where it is proper for a case to proceed.Specifically, the bill requires certain cases involving criminal offenses committed on federal property in the National Capital Region (Washington, DC and specified regions of Maryland and Virginia) to be brought in the district of the last known residence of the offender (or of any one of two or more joint offenders). If the last residence of the offender is not known, then the case may be brought in DC. 

Washington, D.C. Admission ActThis bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States.The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives.The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services. The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.

Freedom to Petition the Government ActThis bill allows outside nonprofit organizations to meet with federal officials in the District of Columbia (DC) on federal property without having to register as businesses in DC. Currently, entities that are formed outside of DC, including nonprofit organizations, must generally register with DC before doing business in DC. Under the bill, outside nonprofit organizations may meet with federal government officials at federally leased or owned buildings in DC without having to register.