PR 26-0766 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Strengthening Probate Administration Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

This resolution declares an emergency to fix technical errors in the Strengthening Probate Administration Act of 2024, which aims to modernize how estates are handled in Washington, D.C. The bill directly affects residents dealing with probate by clarifying that the new rules apply to deaths occurring on or after March 21, 2025, and by allowing the Register of Wills to refer cases to a judge if they cannot approve the appointment of an estate manager. It also removes a requirement that prevents people from transferring small estates without starting a formal probate process, ensuring the law can be implemented immediately while the Council is in recess. These changes are intended to speed up the distribution of assets to beneficiaries and reduce delays caused by unclear legal language.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2026

Committee Review

Council Passage

Jul 2026

Signed into Law

Jul 2026

Introduced Jul 9, 2026 Signed Jul 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to address a new 'congressional review' emergency, changing the resolution title and adding a specific clause to prevent a legal gap between the expiration of a previous temporary act and the effective date of a future permanent act. The scope of the emergency declaration was expanded to include new procedural requirements for notice and foreign representatives. The effective date of the resolution was changed from 'immediately' to 'after a single reading' to align with the congressional review process.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific notice requirements for foreign personal representatives and creditors, and it now explicitly addresses a legislative gap caused by congressional review timelines.

TIMELINE

Added a new section (f) specifying that the resolution is necessary to prevent a legal gap between the expiration of a temporary act on August 27, 2026, and the projected law date of a future permanent act on September 4, 2026.

Changed the effective date of the resolution from 'immediately' to 'after a single reading' to accommodate the congressional review process.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the emergency declaration to include new requirements for notice of requests for formal probate, notices from foreign personal representatives, and publication notices for interested parties, creditors, and unknown heirs.

SCOPE

Updated the resolution title from 'Emergency Declaration Resolution' to 'Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution' to reflect the specific legal context.

Floor votes · Council Jul 14, 2026

How they voted

12–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 13

Jul 14, 2026

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1

90% 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

Jul 14, 2026

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0-1)

council

Jul 9, 2026

Introduced

PR26-0766 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors