District of ColumbiaD.C. board could waive some pardon applicants’ five-year wait
For no more than 90 days after mayoral approval, the D.C. Clemency Board could waive the five-year wait for pardon applicants who had federal waivers.
What it does
Applicants with a federal waiver of the five-year wait could ask the D.C. board in writing to waive its wait. The board could refuse and could not grant waivers to people on probation, parole, or supervised release.
During the temporary law, the board could ask waiver applicants for more information or a meeting. It had to pause their pardon applications until it decided and send its decision in writing.
Argument forAn applicant with a federal waiver might have a pardon application considered sooner if the D.C. board also waives its five-year wait.
Argument againstAn applicant's pardon review could be delayed while the board decides a waiver request, even if it later denies the request.
More detail
The D.C. Clemency Board could waive a five-year wait for a pardon applicant. This applied to people who asked the board about a pardon. The applicant had to ask in writing. The board had to receive notice that the federal Pardon Attorney or President had waived the same five-year wait. The board could still refuse. It could not grant a waiver to someone on probation, parole, or supervised release. This emergency rule took effect after the Mayor approved the act on April 10, 2026, and lasted no more than 90 days.
The board had to pause a pardon application until it decided the waiver request and then give its decision in writing. This applied to pardon applicants who requested a waiver of the five-year wait. The board could ask the applicant for more information or a meeting. The pause ended when the board decided whether to grant the waiver. The emergency act lasted no more than 90 days after mayoral approval.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 17Act A26-0295 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 006067, Expires on Jul 09, 2026Latest
- Apr 13Returned from Mayor
- Apr 10Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0295, Expires on Jul 09, 2026Became Law
- Apr 6Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Apr 21, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Mar 31Retained by the Council
- Mar 30B26-0649 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Criminal Justice