District of Columbia (D.C.) Law
A guide to researching D.C. Law
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How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Council 101
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - How a Bill Becomes a Law
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - Council of the District of Columbia Handbook
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - Rules of Organization and Procedure for the Council of the District of Columbia, Council Period 25
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - Legislative Drafting Manual
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(Office of the General Counsel)
Council of the District of Columbia Periods
"Council Period" refers to a legislative session of the Council of the District of Columbia. A "Council Period" lasts 2 years, similar in structure to the U.S. Congress (a new Congress begins every 2 years).
Following the beginning of Home Rule and the election of Council members in November 1974, the first "Council Period" began in January 1975.
| 26th Council Period | 2025 - 2026 |
| 25th Council Period | 2023 - 2024 |
| 24th Council Period | 2021 - 2022 |
| 23rd Council Period | 2019 - 2020 |
| 22nd Council Period | 2017 - 2018 |
| 21st Council Period | 2015 - 2016 |
| 20th Council Period | 2013 - 2014 |
| 19th Council Period | 2011 - 2012 |
| 18th Council Period | 2009 - 2010 |
| 17th Council Period | 2007 -2008 |
| 16th Council Period | 2005 - 2006 |
| 15th Council Period | 2003 - 2004 |
| 14th Council Period | 2001 - 2002 |
| 13th Council Period | 1999 - 2000 |
| 12th Council Period | 1997 - 1998 |
| 11th Council Period | 1995 - 1996 |
| 10th Council Period | 1993 - 1994 |
| 9th Council Period | 1991 - 1992 |
| 8th Council Period | 1989 - 1990 |
| 7th Council Period | 1987 - 1988 |
| 6th Council Period | 1985 - 1986 |
| 5th Council Period | 1983 - 1984 |
| 4th Council Period | 1981 - 1982 |
| 3rd Council Period | 1979 - 1980 |
| 2nd Council Period | 1977 - 1978 |
| 1st Council Period | 1975 - 1976 |
Related Guides
- "Chapter 1: Finding the Law" in Volume 1, The District of Columbia Practice Manual
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(The District of Columbia Bar) - Legislative Information Management System (LIMS): Search Help
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - District of Columbia Resources
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(Georgetown Law Library) - Guide to Law Online: U.S. Washington, D.C.
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(Law Library of Congress)
