District of ColumbiaDC act barred nighttime amplifiers at demonstrations targeting homes in residential zones
For demonstrations targeting homes in DC residential zones, the emergency act barred sound amplifiers from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
What it does
For demonstrations targeting homes in DC residential zones, the emergency act barred sound amplifiers from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. and unattended amplifiers emitting sound at any hour. Car audio used and heard only by occupants was excluded.
During the emergency act, knowingly throwing or launching an object onto someone else's home property to frighten, intimidate, or harass a resident or worker could bring a fine or up to 90 days in jail after conviction.
For DC Council appointments to the Corrections Information Council, the act named December 7 as the date each term ended in its expiration year.
Argument forPeople at homes targeted for demonstrations in DC residential zones might have had quieter nights because amplifiers were barred there from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Argument againstDemonstrators targeting homes in DC residential zones might have struggled to be heard at night because the act barred sound amplifiers from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
More detail
The act barred overnight amplifier use and leaving unattended amplifiers emitting sound to target homes for demonstrations. The targeted home had to be in a DC residential, residential flat, or residential apartment zone when the person acted. Car audio was excluded only when a car's occupants used it and were the only people who heard it. The Mayor or DC police could take and hold an unattended amplifier emitting sound in violation of the rule. A person could not continue or restart either violation after a police officer told them to stop. The overnight limit ran from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. The emergency act expired October 19, 2025.
The act barred knowingly throwing or launching an object onto someone else's home property to frighten, intimidate, or harass a resident or worker. The rule covered another person's residential property. The person targeted for fear, intimidation, or harassment had to live or work at that home. After a conviction, punishment could include a fine capped by DC law, up to 90 days in jail, or both. The rule applied during the emergency act, which expired October 19, 2025.
The act named December 7 as the end date for a DC Council appointment to the Corrections Information Council. Only DC Council appointments to the Corrections Information Council were covered. December 7 fell in the year each term expired. The emergency act expired October 19, 2025.
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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
- 2025
- Jul 25Act A26-0119 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008178, Expires on Oct 19, 2025Latest
- Jul 22Returned from Mayor
- Jul 21Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0119, Expires on Oct 19, 2025Became Law
- Jul 10Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jul 24, 2025To Governor
- Jul 1Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 1Retained by the Council
- Jun 30B26-0303 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
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