District of ColumbiaD.C. board's emergency power to waive pardon waits expired April 27, 2026
Under the emergency act that expired April 27, 2026, D.C.'s board could waive five-year pardon waits after written requests, if the Office of the Pardon Attorney reported federal waivers and applicants were off supervision.
What it does
Before the emergency act expired April 27, 2026, D.C.'s board could waive a five-year pardon wait after a written request and notice from the Office of the Pardon Attorney of a federal waiver. The board could refuse and could not approve anyone on probation, parole, or supervised release.
Under the emergency act that expired April 27, 2026, the board had to hold a pardon application while deciding a wait waiver request, then send its decision in writing. It could ask for more information or a meeting.
Argument forUnder the act that expired April 27, 2026, applicants off supervision might have reached pardon review sooner if they asked in writing, the Office of the Pardon Attorney notified the board of a federal waiver, and the board approved.
Argument againstUnder the act that expired April 27, 2026, a waiver request might have slowed pardon review because the board had to hold the application until it decided.
More detail
D.C.'s Clemency Board could waive its five-year pardon wait after a written request and qualifying federal notice. This applied to people seeking a pardon through D.C.'s Clemency Board. The Office of the Pardon Attorney had to notify the board that the federal pardon attorney or president had waived the applicant's federal five-year wait. The board could still refuse, and it could not grant a waiver to someone on probation, parole, or supervised release. The emergency act took effect after mayoral approval on January 27, 2026, and expired April 27, 2026.
The board had to hold a pardon application while deciding a waiver request and send its decision in writing. This covered pardon applicants who requested a waiver of the five-year wait. The board could ask the applicant for more information or a meeting. The application stayed on hold until the board decided the waiver request. The emergency act expired April 27, 2026.
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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
- Feb 6Act A26-0253 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 001078, Expires on Apr 27, 2026Latest
- Feb 2Returned from Mayor
- Jan 27Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0253, Expires on Apr 27, 2026Became Law
- Jan 20Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Feb 02, 2026To Governor
- Jan 6Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jan 6Retained by the Council
- Jan 2B26-0557 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Criminal Justice