Councilmember Councilmember Kathy Patterson
A
BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember Kathy Patterson introduced the following legislation, which was referred
to the Committee on Government Operations.
To amend the District of Columbia Campaign Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Act
of 1974 to prohibit District of Columbia government resources, including budget authority,
personal services, and nonpersonal services to encourage individuals to support or oppose
any candidate, initiative, referendum, or recall measure in the District of Columbia.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "Campaign Finance Amendment Act of 2001 ".
Sec. 2. The District of Columbia Campaign Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Act
of 1974, approved August 14, 1974 (88 Stat. 447; D.C. Code §1-1401 et seq.), is
amended by adding a new title VI-A to read as follows:
"Title VI-A — USE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR CAMPAIGN-RELATED ACTIVITIES.
"Sec. 651. Prohibition on the use of District government resources for campaign
related activities.
"(a) The resources of the District of Columbia government, including, but not
limited to funding, the personal services of employees during their hours of work, and
nonpersonal services such as supplies, materials, equipment, office space, facilities,
telephones and other utilities, shall not be used to support or oppose any candidate for
elected office, whether partisan or nonpartisan, or to support or oppose any initiative,
referendum, or recall measure, including a charter amendment referendum conducted in
accordance with section 303 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 784; D.C. Code §1-205).
"(b)(1) This title shall not prohibit the Mayor, the Chairman and members of the
Council, or the President and members of the Board of Education from expressing their
views on a District of Columbia election as part of their official duties which do not
involve the expenditure of District of Columbia funds or use of District of Columbia
resources.
"(2) This subsection shall not be construed to allow any member of the staff of
the Mayor, the Chairman and members of the Council, or the President and members of the
Board of Education, or any other employee of the executive or legislative branch to engage
in any activity to promote or oppose any candidate for elected office, whether partisan or
nonpartisan, an initiative, referendum, or recall measure during their hours of work, or
the use of any nonpersonal services such as supplies, materials, equipment, office space,
facilities, telephones and other utilities to support or oppose an initiative, referendum,
or recall matter.".
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact report in the committee report as the fiscal
impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act,
approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-233 (c)(3)).
Sec. 4. This act shall take effect after a 30-day period of Congressional review
following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the
Council of the District of Columbia to override the veto), approval by the Financial
Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the
District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995,
approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code §47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of
Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home
Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1)), and
publication in the District of Columbia Register.