Key Vote 93rd Congress > House > Vote 514

Date: 1973-12-17

Result: 272-74

Vote Subject Matter: Government Management / D. C.

Bill number: S1435

Description: TO PASS S. 1435, TO PROVIDE AN ELECTED MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Bill summary: District of Columbia Charter Act - Title I: Definitions - Sets forth definitions of various terms used in the Act. Title II: Status of the District - Provides that all the territory constituting the permanent seat of the Government of the United States shall continue to be designated as the District of Columbia. Title III: The District Council - Creates a Council of the District of Columbia consisting of eleven members, of whom the Chairman, and two members shall be elected at large and the (...show more) other eight members shall be elected one from each of the eight election wards established under the District of Columbia Elections Act. Provides that the term of office for members of the Council be four years. Requires Members of the Council to be: (1) a qualified voter; (2) domiciled in the District and if elected from a ward, to reside in the ward; (3) domiciled in the District for a period of 3 years prior to the election; (4) no holder of another elective public office; (5) no holder of a position as an officer or employee of the District of Columbia; and (6) no holder of an office in which compensation is from Federal or District funds. Permits the Council by Act to change qualifications and compensation of the Members if such act is assented to by a majority of the voters in an election. Abolishes the Officers of the District of Columbia established by Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 and transfers powers of the officers to the District of Columbia Council. Establishes an Armory Board to be composed of three Members to be appointed by the Mayor by and with the advice and consent of the Council who shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. Vests the legislative power of the District in the District Council and in the qualified voters of the District of Columbia. Prohibits the Council or the voters from passing any act: (1) to impose any tax on property of the United States; (2) to lend public credit for support of any private undertaking; (3) to authorize the issuance of bonds except in compliance with title VI; (4) to amend or repeal any act of Congress which concerns the functions or property of the United States inconsistent with or contrary to any provision of any Act of Congress; or (5) to impose a parking tax on nonresident of the District of Columbia in excess of that paid by District residents. Permits the Mayor to veto an Act of the Council within 10 days after presentment to him. Provides that the Council may override a Mayor's veto by a vote of two thirds. Provides for the appointment of municipal court judges. Sets forth the organization and procedure of the District Council. Grants the Council powers to investigate any matter relating to the affairs of the District. Gives the Council powers over zoning in the District. Title IV: Mayor - Creates the Office of Mayor of the District of Columbia for a term of office of four years to be elected as provided in title VIII. Sets the qualifications of the Mayor similar to those for the Members of the Council. Sets the compensation of the Mayor at an amount which the Council provides. Vests the executive powers of the District of Columbia in the Office of the Mayor. Directs him to administer all laws relating to the appointment, promotion, discipline, separation, and other conditions of employment of personnel in the Office of Mayor, personnel in the executive offices of the District, and members of boards, commissions, and other agencies of the District. Requires him to make annual reports to the Council on the fiscal affairs of the District. Provides for the appointment of a City Administrator to be appointed by the Mayor. Authorizes the Mayor to issue and enforce administrative orders as are necessary to carry out his functions and duties. Title V: The District Budget - Provides that the fiscal year of the District of Columbia shall begin on the 1st day of July and end on the 30th day of June of the succeeding calendar years. Requires the Mayor to prepare and submit to the Council not later than March 15 his annual budget with a budget message. Requires the Council by act to adopt a budget each fiscal year. Details the fiscal responsibilities of the Mayor and the Council. Title VI: Borrowing - Permits the District of Columbia to incur indebtedness by issuing bonds in either coupon or registered form to fund or refund indebtedness of the District at any time outstanding and to pay the costs of constructing or acquiring any capital projects requiring an expenditure greater than the amount of taxes or other revenues allowed for such capital projects by the annual budget. Sets forth limitations on such bonds. Sets forth the procedures on borrowing legislation and provides for referendum on the bond issue. Requires the Mayor to publish any act authorizing the issuance of bonds at least once within five days after enactment thereof. Requires such bonds to be sold at public sale upon sealed proposals. Authorizes short-term borrowing to meet supplemental appropriations and in anticipation of revenues. Provides that all bonds and notes issued by the Council shall be exempt from all Federal and District taxation except estate, inheritance, and gift taxes. Title VII: Federal Payment - Provides for an annual Federal payment to the District of Columbia based upon a specified computation. Title VIII: Amendments to the District of Columbia Elections Act - Creates a Board of Elections for the District of Columbia to be composed of 3 members appointed by the Mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the District Council for terms of 3 years. Sets forth the nominating procedures for each candidate in a general election for members of the Board of Education, members of the District Council, the Office of Mayor and the Office of District Delegate. Requires for nomination at least 40 percent of the vote or requires a runoff election. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Authorizes agreements with the United States for purposes of preventing duplication of offer or for the purpose of otherwise promoting efficiency and economy. Provides for forfeit of office for violations of laws relating to personal interest in contracts or transactions. Prohibits compensation by offices of the District of Columbia from more than one source. Authorizes assistance of the United States Civil Service Commission in the development of the District of Columbia merit system. Title X: Succession in Government - Provides for the transfer of personnel, property, and funds to the new District Government and sets forth procedures relating to existing statutes, regulations, and other actions. Title XI: Separability of Provisions - Provides that if any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, shall not be affected thereby. Title XII: Temporary Provisions - Sets forth the powers of the President of the United States during the transition period. Authorizes reimbursable appropriations of $750,000 in paying expenses of the Board of Elections. Title XIII: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of various titles of this Act. Title XIV: Submission of Charter for Referendum - Requires a referendum on the charter not more than four months after enactment of this Act to determine whether the registered qualified voters of the District of Columbia accept the charter. Title XV: Title of Act - Cites the Act as the District of Columbia Charter Act.

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Bill titles: An Act to reorganize the governmental structure of the District of Columbia, to provide a charter for local government in the District of Columbia subject to acceptance by a majority of the registered qualified electors in the District of Columbia, to delegate certain legislative powers to the local government, to implement certain recommendations of the Commission on the Organization of the Government of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.; A bill to provide an elected Mayor and City Council for the District of Columbia.

Original source documents: Digest of the Congressional Record vol. 119-198, p. H11528;

Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov

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