reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter II - Freedom of Information › § 2–533. Letters of denial

§ 2–533. Letters of denial.
(a) Denial by a public body of a request for any public record shall contain at least the following:
(1) The specific reasons for the denial, including citations to the particular exemption(s) under § 2-534 relied on as authority for the denial;
(2) The name(s) of the public official(s) or employee(s) responsible for the decision to deny the request; and
(3) Notification to the requester of any administrative or judicial right to appeal under § 2-537.
(b) Each public body of the District of Columbia shall maintain a file of all letters of denial of requests for public records. This file shall be made available to any person on request for purposes of inspection and/or copying.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title II, § 203; as added Mar. 29, 1977, D.C. Law 1-96, § 2, 23 DCR 3744; Apr. 27, 2001, D.C. Law 13-283, § 3(c), 48 DCR 1917.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1523.
1973 Ed., § 1-1523.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 13-283, in subsec. (a), substituted “a public body” for “the Mayor or an agency”; and, in subsec. (b), substituted “Each public body” for “The Mayor and each agency of the District of Columbia”.
Editor's Notes
The Law Effective Date Notice for D.C. Law 1-96, published on April 8, 1977, was incorrect and was corrected on June 3, 1977, and published at 23 DCR 9532b.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter II - Freedom of Information › § 2–535. Recording of final votes

§ 2–535. Recording of final votes.
Each agency having more than 1 member shall maintain and make available for public inspection a record of the final votes of each member in each proceeding of that agency.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title II, § 205; as added Mar. 29, 1977, D.C. Law 1-96, § 2, 23 DCR 3744.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1525.
1973 Ed., § 1-1525.
Editor's Notes
The Law Effective Date Notice for D.C. Law 1-96, published on April 8, 1977, was incorrect and was corrected on June 3, 1977, and published at 23 DCR 9532b.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter II - Freedom of Information › § 2–540. Short title

§ 2–540. Short title.
This subchapter may be cited as the “Freedom of Information Act of 1976”.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title II, § 210; as added Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 5, 51 DCR 881; Mar. 2, 2007, D.C. Law 16-191, § 10(b), 53 DCR 6794.)
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-191 rewrote the section which had previously read as follows: “This subchapter may be cited as the ”Freedom of Information Act“.”
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–554. Documents to be filed in the District of Columbia Office of Documents

§ 2–554. Documents to be filed in the District of Columbia Office of Documents.
Any document required or authorized to be published in the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations or the District of Columbia Register shall be filed with the District of Columbia Office of Documents. If a document has been published pursuant to subchapter I of this chapter and forwarded to the Office of the Secretariat prior to March 6, 1979, such document need not be filed with the District of Columbia Office of Documents, unless the Administrator otherwise notifies the person responsible for filing the document.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 304; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1534.
1973 Ed., § 1-1534.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 2-556.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–555. Permanent supplements to the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations

§ 2–555. Permanent supplements to the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(a) The Mayor shall:
(1) Make available, by May 1, 2001, a complete and current version of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (“DCMR”), with all sections compiled by subject matter, and an index to the sections;
(2) Publish, no later than 60 days after the beginning of each fiscal year, a cumulative supplement to the DCMR containing all newly promulgated DCMR provisions as of the first of the fiscal year;
(3) Provide a summary statement at the beginning of all newly promulgated regulations;
(4) Make available through the Internet, by January 1, 2002, an electronic version of the official text of the DCMR, with all sections compiled by subject matter, and an index to the sections, integrating all newly promulgated DCMR provisions since the last version; and
(5) Update the electronic version of the official text of the DCMR prior to the effective date of any newly promulgated DCMR provisions, integrating the newly promulgated DCMR provisions since the last version.
(b) The Mayor may enter into an agreement with private contractors of database services to offer the DCMR in an electronic version.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 305; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960; Apr. 3, 2001, D.C. Law 13-232, § 2, 48 DCR 582.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1535.
1973 Ed., § 1-1535.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 13-232 rewrote the section which prior thereto read:
“At least once each year, every document required to be compiled pursuant to § 2-552 shall be permanently integrated into the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations by publication of loose-leaf pages or other appropriate permanent supplements of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. The index of the DCMR shall be similarly supplemented or reissued.”
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–556. Documents to be filed with Administrator

§ 2–556. Documents to be filed with Administrator.
Except as provided in § 2-554, 2 copies of any document to be published pursuant to this subchapter shall be filed with the Administrator. The Administrator shall immediately review filed documents to determine their conformity to the provisions of this subchapter and to editorial standards promulgated by the Administrator. Upon the Administrator’s determination of a document’s conformity with this section, 1 copy of each document shall be prepared for publication and 1 copy kept for permanent historic preservation.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 306; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1536.
1973 Ed., § 1-1536.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–557. Publication, specifications, and distribution of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations

§ 2–557. Publication, specifications, and distribution of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(a) The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations and its permanent supplements shall be published pursuant to typographical and contractual arrangements which ensure that the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations can be purchased at a reasonable cost in its entirety or in portions of related rules, regulations, or documents having general applicability and legal effect.
(b) Paper copies of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations shall be printed by each regular branch of the District of Columbia Public Library system and each regular branch shall make a paper copy of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations available to the public.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 307; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960; Sept. 24, 2010, D.C. Law 18-223, § 1083(c), 57 DCR 6242.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1537.
1973 Ed., § 1-1537.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 18-223 rewrote subsec. (b), which had read as follows: “(b) Copies of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations shall be available to the public at each regular branch of the District of Columbia library system and to each Advisory Neighborhood Commission established by the Council.”
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1083(c) of Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-463, July 2, 2010, 57 DCR 6542).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–558. Legal effectiveness of documents

§ 2–558. Legal effectiveness of documents.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any rule, regulation, or document having general applicability and legal effect which has been adopted or enacted by the Commissioner, the Mayor, the District of Columbia Council, an agency, or other instrumentality of the District before March 6, 1979, and which is not published in the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations on or before June 30, 1984, shall not be in effect thereafter.
(b) Except in the case of emergency rules or acts, no rule or document of general applicability and legal effect adopted or enacted on or after March 6, 1979, shall become effective until after its publication in the District of Columbia Register, nor shall such rule or document of general applicability and legal effect become effective if it is required by law, other than subchapter I of this chapter or this subchapter, to be otherwise published, until such rule or document of general applicability and legal effect is also published as required by such law.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 308; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960; July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-75, § 2, 27 DCR 2277; Oct. 17, 1981, D.C. Law 4-41, § 2, 28 DCR 3423; May 20, 1983, D.C. Law 5-10, § 2, 30 DCR 1793; Aug. 2, 1983, D.C. Law 5-22, § 2, 30 DCR 3337.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1538.
1973 Ed., § 1-1538.
Editor's Notes
Publication requirement exemption: Section 5 of D.C. Law 16-300 provided: “Notwithstanding section 8 of this act and sections 204 and 308(b) of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, effective March 6, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-153; D.C. Official Code §§ 2-602 and 2-558(b)), the text, maps, and graphics of the District elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital, as amended by this act, need not be published in the District of Columbia Register to become effective.”
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–559. Correction of errors in documents

§ 2–559. Correction of errors in documents.
The Administrator of the District of Columbia Office of Documents shall correct grammatical or typographical errors in the publication of the text of a document in the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large, the District of Columbia Register or the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations by the publication of an errata list or by publication of the entire document or the affected part of the document in its corrected form so as to indicate the actual corrections which were made.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 309; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960; Sept. 24, 2010, D.C. Law 18-223, § 1083(d), 57 DCR 6242.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1539.
1973 Ed., § 1-1539.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 18-223 substituted “publication” for “printing”.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1083(d) of Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-463, July 2, 2010, 57 DCR 6542).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–560. Certification

§ 2–560. Certification.
Each part of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, each permanent supplement of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, and the District of Columbia Register shall contain a certificate by the Administrator stating that such part contains all documents required to be published pursuant to this subchapter as of the date of such certificate.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 310; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960; Sept. 20, 2012, D.C. Law 19-168, § 1113, 59 DCR 8025.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1540.
1973 Ed., § 1-1539.1.
Effect of Amendments
The 2012 amendment by D.C. Law 19-168 deleted “the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large” following “Each part of.”
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–561. Presumption created by publication

§ 2–561. Presumption created by publication.
The publication of any document in the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large, the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, or the District of Columbia Register creates a rebuttable presumption:
(1) That it was duly issued, prescribed, adopted, or enacted; and
(2) That all requirements of this subchapter have been complied with.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 311; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1541.
1973 Ed., § 1-1539.2.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter III - Legal Publication › § 2–562. Penalties

§ 2–562. Penalties.
Any person who knowingly and willfully causes any document not to be published in the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large, the District of Columbia Register, or the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations which is required to be so published pursuant to this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $100, or imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title III, § 312; as added Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 4, 25 DCR 6960.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1542.
1973 Ed., § 1-1539.3.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–571. Short title

§ 2–571. Short title.
This subchapter may be cited as the “Open Meetings Act”.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 401; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 1-1161.01, § 10-1906, and § 31-3171.11.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–572. Statement of policy

§ 2–572. Statement of policy.
The public policy of the District is that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the actions of those who represent them.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 402; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 2-575.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–573. Rules of construction

§ 2–573. Rules of construction.
This subchapter shall be construed broadly to maximize public access to meetings. Exceptions shall be construed narrowly and shall permit closure of meetings only as authorized by this chapter.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 403; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–574. Definitions

§ 2–574. Definitions.
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) “Meeting” means any gathering of a quorum of the members of a public body, including hearings and roundtables, whether formal or informal, regular, special, or emergency, at which the members consider, conduct, or advise on public business, including gathering information, taking testimony, discussing, deliberating, recommending, and voting, regardless whether held in person, by telephone, electronically, or by other means of communication. The term “meeting” shall not include:
(A) A chance or social gathering; provided, that it is not held to avoid the provisions of this paragraph; or
(B) A press conference.
(2) "Office of Open Government" means the Office of Open Government established by § 1-1162.05b.
(3) “Public body” means any government council, including the Council of the District of Columbia, board, commission, or similar entity, including a board of directors of an instrumentality, a board which supervises or controls an agency, the board of trustees of a public charter school, or an advisory body that takes official action by the vote of its members convened for such purpose. The term “public body” shall not include:
(A) A District agency or instrumentality (other than the board which supervises or controls an agency or the board of directors of an instrumentality);
(B) The District of Columbia courts;
(C) Repealed.
(D) The Mayor’s cabinet;
(E) The professional or administrative staff of public bodies when they meet outside the presence of a quorum of those bodies; or
(F) Advisory Neighborhood Commissions; provided, that this subchapter shall not affect the requirements set forth in § 1-309.11.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 404; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(b), 65 DCR 9388; Dec. 3, 2020, D.C. Law 23-149, § 4057(a), 67 DCR 10493.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 2-575.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1084(b) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1084(b) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–578. Record of meetings

§ 2–578. Record of meetings.
(a) All meetings of public bodies, whether open or closed, shall be recorded by electronic means, and the recording shall be preserved for a minimum of 5 years; provided, that if a recording is not feasible, detailed minutes of the meeting shall be taken and preserved for a minimum of 5 years.
(b) Copies of records shall be made available for public inspection according to the following schedule; provided, that a record, or a portion of a record, may be withheld under the standard established for closed meetings pursuant to § 2-575(b):
(1) A copy of the minutes of a meeting shall be made available for public inspection as soon as practicable, but no later than 3 business days after the meeting, or in the case of a board of trustees for a public charter school, no later than 30 business days after the meeting.
(2) A copy of the full record, including any recording or transcript, shall be made available for public inspection as soon as practicable, but no later than 7 business days after the meeting.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 408; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; May 10, 2019, D.C. Law 22-313, § 4, 66 DCR 1627; Dec. 3, 2020, D.C. Law 23-149, § 4057(d), 67 DCR 10493.)
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-96, June 7, 2021, 68 DCR 006025).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-30, Mar. 17, 2021, 68 DCR 003101).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-405, Aug. 19, 2020, 67 DCR 10235).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-328, June 8, 2020, 67 DCR 7598).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-326, May 27, 2020, 67 DCR 7045).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 504(d) of COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-247, Mar. 17, 2020, 67 DCR 3093).
Temporary Legislation
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-9, June 24, 2021, 68 DCR 004824).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 809(d) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-130, Oct. 9, 2020, 67 DCR 8622).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–579. Enforcement; authority

§ 2–579. Enforcement; authority.
(a) The Office of Open Government may bring a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for injunctive or declaratory relief for any violation of this subchapter before or after the meeting in question takes place; provided, that the Council shall adopt its own rules for enforcement related to Council meetings. Nothing in this subchapter shall:
(1) Be construed to create or imply a private cause of action for a violation of this subchapter; or
(2) Restrict the private right of action citizens have under § 1-207.42.
(b) In any lawsuit filed under this section, the burden shall be on the public body to sustain its action or proposed action. The court shall determine the matter de novo and may examine the record of a closed meeting to determine whether this section has been violated.
(c) If the court finds that a public body plans to hold a closed meeting or portion of a meeting in violation of subsection (d) of this section, the court may:
(1) Enjoin the public body from closing the meeting or portion of the meeting;
(2) Order that future meetings of the same kind be open to the public; or
(3) Order that the record of a meeting be made public.
(d) If the court finds that a resolution, rule, act, regulation, or other official action was taken, made, or enacted in violation of this subchapter, the court may order an appropriate remedy, including requiring additional forms of notice, postponing a meeting, or declaring action taken at a meeting to be void. Actions shall not be declared void unless the court finds that the balance of equities compels the action or the court concludes that the violation was not harmless.
(e) If the court finds that a member of a public body engages in a pattern or practice of willfully participating in one or more closed meetings in violation of the provisions of this subchapter, the court may impose a civil fine of not more than $250 for each violation.
(f) The court may grant such additional relief as it finds necessary to serve the purposes of this subchapter.
(g) A public body may seek an advisory opinion from the Office of Open Government regarding compliance with this subchapter.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 409; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(c), 65 DCR 9388.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 2-593.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1084(c) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1084(c) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter IV - Open Meetings › § 2–580. Training

§ 2–580. Training.
The Mayor, in coordination with the Office of Open Government, shall:
(1) Develop a training manual for members of public bodies; and
(2) Annually advise all members of public bodies of their responsibilities under this subchapter.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 410; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(d), 65 DCR 9388.)
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1084(d) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 1084(d) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter V - Open Government Office. [Repealed] [Repealed] › § 2–591. Short title. [Repealed]

§ 2–591. Short title. [Repealed]
Repealed.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 501; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(e), 65 DCR 9388.)
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter V - Open Government Office. [Repealed] [Repealed] › § 2–592. Establishment of the District of Columbia Open Government Office. [Repealed]

§ 2–592. Establishment of the District of Columbia Open Government Office. [Repealed]
Repealed.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 502; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Apr. 27, 2012, D.C. Law 19-124, § 501(a)(1), 59 DCR 1862; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(e), 65 DCR 9388.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 1-1161.01 and § 2-574.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-124 rewrote the section, which formerly read:
“The District of Columbia Open Government Office (’Open Government Office’) is established as an independent agency to promote open governance in the District of Columbia.”
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 401(a)(1) of Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-298, January 29, 2012, 59 DCR 683).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter V - Open Government Office. [Repealed] [Repealed] › § 2–593. Powers and duties of the Open Government Office. [Repealed]

§ 2–593. Powers and duties of the Open Government Office. [Repealed]
Repealed.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 503; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(e), 65 DCR 9388.)
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 5 - Administrative Procedure › Subchapter V - Open Government Office. [Repealed] [Repealed] › § 2–594. Director. [Repealed]

§ 2–594. Director. [Repealed]
Repealed.
(Oct. 21, 1968, Pub. L. 90-614, title IV, § 504; as added Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 2, 58 DCR 734; Apr. 27, 2012, D.C. Law 19-124, § 501(a)(2), 59 DCR 1862; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 1084(e), 65 DCR 9388.)
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-124 rewrote subsec. (a), which had read as follows: “(a) The Open Government Office shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council to serve a 5-year term.”
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) repeal of this subchapter, see § 1084(e) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 401(a)(2) of Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-298, January 29, 2012, 59 DCR 683).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter I - General Provisions › § 2–601. Definitions

§ 2–601. Definitions.
For the purpose of this subchapter:
(1) The term “act” shall have the same meaning as is ascribed to it in § 1-201.03(7).
(2) The term “agency” means any officer, employee, office, department, division, board, commission, or other agency of the government of the District of Columbia including both those which are independent of and those which are subordinate to the Mayor and Council but not including the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
(3) The term “Board of Commissioners” means the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia established by Act of June 11, 1878 (20 Stat. 102).
(4) The term “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the District of Columbia established by subsection (a) of § 301 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 (81 Stat. 949).
(5) The term “Council” means the Council of the District of Columbia created by § 1-204.01(a) unless the phrase “District of Columbia Council” is used in which event the term shall mean the District of Columbia Council created by subsection (a) of § 201 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 (81 Stat. 948).
(6) The term “Council year” means the legislative period of the Council beginning on January 2nd of each year and ending on January 1st of the following year.
(7) Repealed.
(8) The term “District of Columbia Register” means the District of Columbia Register mandated by § 2-504.
(9) The term “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia created by § 1-204.21(a) or his or her designated agent.
(10) The term “rule” means the whole or any part of any Board of Commissioners’, Commissioner’s, District of Columbia Council’s, Mayor’s, or agency’s statement of general or particular applicability and future effect designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or designed to describe organization, procedure, or practice requirements.
(11) The term “regulation” shall have the same meaning as the term “rule.”
(12) The term “resolution” means a resolution of the Council unless the term “Congressional resolution” is used in which case it shall mean a resolution of the Congress of the United States or either House thereof.
(Oct. 8, 1975, D.C. Law 1-19, title II, § 202, 22 DCR 2056; Apr. 7, 2006, D.C. Law 16-91, § 135, 52 DCR 10637.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1601.
1973 Ed., § 1-1601.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-91 repealed par. (7) which had read as follows: “(7) The term ‘District of Columbia Code’ means the Code of the District of Columbia as provided for in the Act of July 30, 1947 (61 Stat. 638) and any continuations, supplements, or revisions thereof authorized by Act, Congressional resolution, or act.”
References in Text
“Act of June 11, 1878,” referred to in paragraph (3), is also known as the Organic Act of 1878, and is set forth in its entirety in Volume 1.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter I - General Provisions › § 2–602. Publication prerequisite for effectiveness of Council acts and resolutions

§ 2–602. Publication prerequisite for effectiveness of Council acts and resolutions.
No act or resolution shall be effective until the act or resolution has been published in the District of Columbia Register, the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large, or the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, except that any emergency act or resolution approved pursuant to § 1-204.12(a), any resolution to approve or disapprove proposed actions pursuant to § 1-204.12(a)(2) or § 1-204.90(a)(1), or any resolution that pertains to the internal operation or organization of the Council shall be effective without prior publication, but shall be published as soon as practicable.
(Oct. 8, 1975, D.C. Law 1-19, title II, § 204, 22 DCR 2058; Oct. 30, 1975, D.C. Law 1-27, § 4, 22 DCR 2472; Apr. 7, 1977, D.C. Law 1-115, § 2, 23 DCR 8744; Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 6(c), 25 DCR 6960; Mar. 15, 1990, D.C. Law 8-89, § 2, 37 DCR 644; Feb. 5, 1994, D.C. Law 10-68, § 8, 40 DCR 6311; Oct. 19, 2002, D.C. Law 14-213, § 5, 49 DCR 8140; Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 27, 51 DCR 881.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1602.
1973 Ed., § 1-1602.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 50-2302.02.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 14-213 substituted “§§ 1-204.12(a)(2), and 1-204.90(a)(1)” for “§ 1-204.12(a)(2)”.
D.C. Law 15-105 validated a previously made technical correction.
Cross References
Motor vehicles and traffic, moving infractions, exceptions, criminal offenses, amendment of municipal code by publication, see § 50-2302.02.
Publication and codification of acts of D.C. Council, requirements, see § 1-204.04.
Editor's Notes
Publication requirement exemption: Section 5 of D.C. Law 16-300 provided: “Notwithstanding section 8 of this act and sections 204 and 308(b) of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, effective March 6, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-153; D.C. Official Code §§ 2-602 and 2-558(b)), the text, maps, and graphics of the District elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital, as amended by this act, need not be published in the District of Columbia Register to become effective.”
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter I - General Provisions › § 2–603. Statutes-at-Large

§ 2–603. Statutes-at-Large.
(a) Beginning in 2013, within 45 days of the end of each Council year, the Council shall compile and publish online the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large which shall include in separate chronological order:
(1) Council acts, including emergency acts adopted after December 31, 1986, which become law during that Council year; and
(2) Council resolutions adopted during that Council year, except ceremonial resolutions adopted after December 31, 1986.
(b) The 1st publication of the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large shall also contain in a separate part each regulation and resolution of the District of Columbia Council in chronological order.
(c) Repealed.
(d) The District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large shall contain a certificate by the General Counsel to the Council of the District of Columbia stating that it contains all the documents required to be published pursuant to this section as of the date of the certificate.
(Oct. 8, 1975, D.C. Law 1-19, title II, § 205, 22 DCR 2062; Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 6(c), 25 DCR 6960; Feb. 18, 1988, D.C. Law 7-78, § 2, 34 DCR 7956; Sept. 20, 2012, D.C. Law 19-168, § 1112, 59 DCR 8025.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1603.
1973 Ed., § 1-1603.
Effect of Amendments
The 2012 amendment by D.C. Law 19-168, in the introductory language of (a), added “Beginning in 2013,” substituted “the Council” for “the Mayor,” and substituted “publish online” for “publish”; repealed (c), which read: “The Mayor shall make copies of the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large available to the public at a reasonable cost calculated to cover the costs of its compilation, publication, and distribution”; and added (d).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter I - General Provisions › § 2–604. Enrollment of Council acts and resolutions

§ 2–604. Enrollment of Council acts and resolutions.
After enactment by the Council, but before any presentation to the Mayor, each act and resolution of the Council shall be set forth on parchment or other such suitable paper.
(Oct. 8, 1975, D.C. Law 1-19, title II, § 206, 22 DCR 2062; Mar. 8, 1991, D.C. Law 8-235, § 3, 38 DCR 302.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1604.
1973 Ed., § 1-1604.
Cross References
Public records management, see § 2-1701 et seq.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter I - General Provisions › § 2–605. Judicial notice

§ 2–605. Judicial notice.
All courts within the District of Columbia shall take judicial notice of the acts and resolutions published in the District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large.
(Oct. 8, 1975, D.C. Law 1-19, title II, § 207, 22 DCR 2063; Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 6(c), 25 DCR 6960.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1605.
1973 Ed., § 1-1605.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter II - District of Columbia Office of Documents › § 2–612. Duties of Administrator

§ 2–612. Duties of Administrator.
The Administrator of the District of Columbia Office of Documents shall:
(1) Supervise, manage, and direct the preparation, editing, printing and public distribution of all legal publications of the District of Columbia government including the District of Columbia Register and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations in accordance with this subchapter;
(2) Promulgate appropriate rules of procedure to implement the provisions of this subchapter;
(3) With the assistance of the Office of the Corporation Counsel, the officer designated by the Chairman of the Council, or legal counsels to agencies and other governmental entities, certify the promulgation, adoption, or enactment of documents to be published in accordance with this subchapter;
(4) Coordinate with the officer designated by the Chairman of the Council the drafting and preparation of legislation to be published in the District of Columbia Register and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations;
(5) Establish editorial standards for the removal of unnecessary sex-based terminology in documents and for the numbering, grammar, and style of all documents to be published pursuant to this subchapter;
(5A) Establish editorial standards for the use of respectful language in documents as required under § 2-632;
(6) Except with respect to acts or resolutions of the Council, reject for publication proposed rules, regulations, orders, administrative issuances, or ordinances which fail to comply substantially with the publication requirements authorized by this subchapter;
(7) In accordance with applicable law, procure contracts for the preparation and publication of documents pursuant to this subchapter; and
(8) Instruct promulgators of documents to be published under this subchapter concerning the requirements established by the Administrator under this subchapter and the means to comply with those requirements.
(Mar. 6, 1979, D.C. Law 2-153, § 3, 25 DCR 6960; Sept. 29, 2006, D.C. Law 16-169, § 6, 53 DCR 6223; Mar. 25, 2009, D.C. Law 17-353, § 123, 56 DCR 1117; Sept. 20, 2012, D.C. Law 19-168, § 1114(b), 59 DCR 8025.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1612.
1973 Ed., § 1-1612.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 6-1408.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-169 adds par. (5A).
D.C. Law 17-353 validated a previously made technical correction in the punctuation in par. (5A).
The 2012 amendment by D.C. Law 19-168 substituted “the District of Columbia Register and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations” for “District of Columbia Statutes-at-Large, the District of Columbia Register, and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations” in (1).
Cross References
Editorial standards, exemptions, see § 6-1408.
Public records management, see § 2-1701 et seq.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter III - Government Notices in Newspapers › § 2–621. Requirement

§ 2–621. Requirement.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any other requirement that the District of Columbia publish notices in 2 daily newspapers shall be satisfied by publication in at least 2 general circulation newspapers, published in the District of Columbia, once every 2 weeks or more frequently.
(Mar. 16, 1982, D.C. Law 4-81, § 6, 29 DCR 156.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 1-1621.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter IV - Respectful Language Modernization › § 2–631. Definitions

§ 2–631. Definitions.
For purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) “Disability” means, with respect to an individual:
(A) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that individual;
(B) A record of such an impairment; or
(C) Being regarded as having such an impairment.
(2) “Internet publication” means any information posted to an official web site of a public body, except for archival documents.
(3) “Policies” means official instructions and guiding principles issued by a public body for the implementation of its programs.
(4) “Public body” shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 2-502(18A).
(5) “Publications” means any written material issued by a public body, either for internal or external use, and does not include internet publications, policies, rules, regulations, and signage.
(6) “Regulation” shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 2-502(17).
(7) “Rule” shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 2-502(6).
(8) “Signage” means any poster on paper larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches issued by a public body and any signs regardless of size made of any material other than paper and posted or issued by a public body.
(Sept. 29, 2006, D.C. Law 16-169, § 2, 53 DCR 6223.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter IV - Respectful Language Modernization › § 2–633. Report. [Repealed]

§ 2–633. Report. [Repealed]
Repealed.
(Sept. 29, 2006, D.C. Law 16-169, § 4, 53 DCR 6223; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 6(b), 59 DCR 5567.)
Editor's Notes
Section 35 of D.C. Law 19-169 provided that no provision of the act shall impair any right or obligation existing under law.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter V - Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act › § 2–651.01. Definitions

§ 2–651.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) "Electronic" means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.
(2) "Legal material" means, whether or not in effect:
(A) The acts and resolutions of the Council;
(B) The District of Columbia Official Code;
(C) The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations;
(D) Other legal materials designated by the Mayor by rule; and
(E) Other legal materials designated by the Council by resolution.
(3) "Official publisher" means:
(A) For the acts and resolutions of the Council, the Secretary to the Council;
(B) For the District of Columbia Official Code, the General Counsel to the Council;
(C) For the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, the Administrator of the District of Columbia Office of Documents, established by § 2-611;
(D) For other legal material designated by the Mayor pursuant to paragraph (2)(D) of this section, the Mayor; and
(E) For other legal material designated by the Council pursuant to paragraph (2)(E) of this section, the Secretary to the Council.
(4) "Publish" means to display, present, or release to the public, or cause to be displayed, presented, or released to the public, by the official publisher.
(5) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(6) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-251, § 2, 64 DCR 1652.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter V - Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act › § 2–651.02. Applicability

§ 2–651.02. Applicability.
This subchapter applies to all legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official under § 2-651.03 and first published electronically on or after July 1, 2017.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-251, § 3, 64 DCR 1652.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter V - Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act › § 2–651.03. Legal material in official electronic record

§ 2–651.03. Legal material in official electronic record.
(a) If an official publisher publishes legal material only in an electronic record, the official publisher shall:
(1) Designate the electronic record as official; and
(2) Comply with §§ 2-651.04, 2-651.06, and 2-651.07.
(b) An official publisher that publishes legal material in an electronic record and also publishes the material in a record other than an electronic record may designate the electronic record as official if the official publisher complies with §§ 2-651.04, 2-651.06, and 2-651.07.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-251, § 4, 64 DCR 1652.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 2 - Government Administration › Chapter 6 - Codification and Publication of Acts, Resolutions, Rules, and Orders › Subchapter V - Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act › § 2–651.04. Authentication of official electronic record

§ 2–651.04. Authentication of official electronic record.
An official publisher of legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official under § 2-651.03 shall authenticate the record. To authenticate an electronic record, the official publisher shall provide a method for a user to determine that the record received by the user from the official publisher is unaltered from the official record published by the official publisher.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-251, § 5, 64 DCR 1652.)