Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 5163District of ColumbiaCriminal procedure and sentencing

Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act

INTRO SEP 4· LAST ACTION OCT 14

READING

2MIN

COSPONSORS

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it directly addresses the visibility of homelessness in public spaces in the nation's capital and proposes a legal framework to remove temporary encampments. If it becomes law, it could lead to cleaner public areas but also increase the criminalization of homelessness, potentially without providing adequate alternative shelter or services for those displaced.

Voters should care because it impacts how public spaces are managed and used, the rights and conditions of vulnerable populations, and the resources that D.C. law enforcement and social services might need to address the consequences. Without this bill, current D.C. laws and policies regarding public camping would remain in effect, which may vary in enforcement and specific prohibitions.

KEY PROVISIONS

3AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Prohibits setting up temporary shelters or sleeping outdoors on public property in Washington, D.C.

This criminalizes an activity that many people experiencing homelessness engage in to survive.

PROVISION 02

Defines "camping" broadly to include tents, tarps, sleeping in vehicles, or using bedding material on public land.

This broad definition ensures that various forms of temporary outdoor shelter are covered by the prohibition.

PROVISION 03

Establishes penalties for unlawful camping, including a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both.

These penalties could lead to criminal records and further hardship for individuals who violate the law.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 0

ACTION TIMELINE

6 EVENTS

OCT 14

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-342.

COMMITTEE

OCT 14

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 294.

CALENDARS

SEP 10

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

SEP 10

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 5163

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedSep 4, 2025

Last actionOct 14, 2025

READER REACTIONS

OVERALL SENTIMENT

No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.

Discussion

Loading comments...

Call my reps

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 4, 2025

House BillHR 5163District of ColumbiaCriminal procedure and sentencing

Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act

INTRODUCED SEP 4, 2025· LAST ACTION OCT 14, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

2 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Prohibits setting up temporary shelters or sleeping outdoors on public property in Washington, D.C.

This criminalizes an activity that many people experiencing homelessness engage in to survive.

high

Defines "camping" broadly to include tents, tarps, sleeping in vehicles, or using bedding material on public land.

This broad definition ensures that various forms of temporary outdoor shelter are covered by the prohibition.

high

Establishes penalties for unlawful camping, including a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both.

These penalties could lead to criminal records and further hardship for individuals who violate the law.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
civil/criminal	Fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both.	Any person who, without lawful authority, engages in camping outdoors on public property in the District of Columbia.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Public property: Land or buildings owned by the government and generally accessible for public use, such as parks, sidewalks, and plazas.
Camping: Setting up temporary shelters like tents or tarps, or sleeping/preparing to sleep outdoors, including in a vehicle or on the ground with bedding, on public land.
District of Columbia Official Code: The collection of laws that apply specifically to Washington, D.C.
Living accommodation activities: Actions related to residing in a place, such as sleeping, resting, or preparing to sleep.
Temporary structures: Shelters or constructions not meant to be permanent, like tents, tarps, or makeshift coverings.

ACTION TIMELINE

6 EVENTS

OCT 14, 25

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-342.

COMMITTEE

OCT 14, 25

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 294.

CALENDARS

SEP 10, 25

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

SEP 10, 25

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.

COMMITTEE

READER REACTIONS

0 COMMENTS

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do you think?

0 votes

Discussion

Loading comments...

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Oversight and Government Reform CommitteeReferred

Oct 14, 2025

house

Search

Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Related Hearings