4209817 Resolution 20-39, “Prohibition on Government Employee Engagement in Political Activity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2013”

A RESOLUTION

 

20-39 

                                               

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

February 19, 2013

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the District’s prohibition on government employees’ engagement in political activity.

 

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Prohibition on Government Employee Engagement in Political Activity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2013”.

 

Sec. 2. (a) On December 28, 2012, the President of the United States signed the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012, which removed the District government from coverage under the federal Hatch Act, which affects the political rights of government employees.

(b) In light of the changes made by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012, it is necessary to clarify the restrictions on government employees’ engagement in political activity.

(c)  This emergency legislation addresses the immediate need to add clarifying definitions to the law, clarify that the newly established District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability shall enforce its provisions, address non-District elections, and provide enforcement of the act through the Code of Conduct.

 

Sec. 3.  The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances

enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the

Prohibition on Government Employee Engagement in Political Activity Emergency Amendment Act of 2013 be adopted after a single reading.

 

Sec. 4.  This resolution shall take effect immediately.