District of Columbia (D.C.) Law
A guide to researching D.C. Law
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How a Bill Becomes a Law
- About the Council
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - Council 101
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(Council of the District of Columbia)
Informational blog entries about how the Council operates as a whole. - Council of the District of Columbia Handbook (2023)
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(Council of the District of Columbia)
Provides information about the District of Columbia, including its government. - How a Bill Becomes a Law
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(Council of the District of Columbia) - Legislative Drafting Manual
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(Council of the District of Columbia, Office of the General Counsel)
Provides technical guidance for individuals who draft legislation for consideration by the Council of the
District of Columbia. It is a guide to the correct form for bills and resolutions and provides information on style and legal limitations. - 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)
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)
