B 26-0393 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Let Our Vows Endure Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily allows the Mayor of the District of Columbia to issue marriage licenses and authorize officiants when the Clerk of the Superior Court cannot issue licenses due to a federal government shutdown. It amends District code to replace references to "Clerk" with "Mayor or Clerk" in marriage licensing provisions, ensuring the Mayor can step in during shutdowns. The Mayor must create a consistent license form, maintain records, and transmit copies to the Clerk after the shutdown ends. The law expires 225 days after taking effect, directly affecting individuals seeking weddings and officiants during federal shutdowns.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

Jan 2026

Introduced Oct 6, 2025 Signed Jan 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill transitioned from its engrossed form to enrolled form, primarily adding signatures and finalizing the effective date and expiration provisions. The core policy changes remain consistent between versions, authorizing the Mayor to issue marriage licenses and appoint temporary marriage officiants during a federal government shutdown when the Clerk cannot perform these duties.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains unchanged; it continues to apply only during periods when the Clerk of the Superior Court is unable to issue marriage licenses due to a federal government shutdown.

TIMELINE

Added Section 4(b) specifying that the act expires after 225 days from its effective date, ensuring the temporary authority has a defined end date.

TECHNICAL

Changed the citation reference in Section 2 from 'et seq.' to 'passim' to indicate the bill affects various sections throughout the referenced chapter rather than starting at a specific point.

Added signature lines for the Council Chairman and Mayor at the end of the enrolled version to finalize the bill's passage.

Updated the second reading date in the enrolled version from a blank placeholder to 'October 21, 2025' and changed the bill number from '26-___' to '26-393'.

REQUIREMENT

Added language in the enrolled version clarifying that the Clerk maintains and certifies copies of licenses transmitted by the Mayor, ensuring proper record-keeping and evidentiary validity.

Floor votes · Council Oct 21, 2025

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Oct 21, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 21, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Oct 6, 2025

Introduced

B26-0393 Introduced by Councilmember Henderson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors