Bill Overview
Title: District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act
Description: This bill allows the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit certain acts, including those amending the District Charter, in such form as it may choose, including in electronic form.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of the District of Columbia
Estimated Size: 700000
- The bill pertains to the District of Columbia, which has a population of about 700,000 residents as of recent estimates.
- The legislation directly affects how the Council of the District of Columbia operates in terms of transmitting legislative documents.
- It indirectly impacts all residents by potentially improving the efficiency and timeliness of legislative processes and amendments to municipal laws.
- The bill does not directly create legislation affecting other states or countries.
Reasoning
- The District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act primarily impacts the internal operations of the DC Council, which may streamline processes and reduce costs associated with physical document handling.
- Given its nature, the policy doesn't directly impact residents at the personal level beyond potential improvements in governmental efficiency that can lead to faster implementation of policies affecting daily life.
- The policy impacts are not expected to cause large, immediate changes in self-reported wellbeing but could contribute to minor improvements over time as governmental processes become more efficient.
- Residents who are more engaged with local governance, such as City Council employees or those in civic-focused roles, might perceive more direct impact.
- The $500,000 budget in year 1 and $2,300,000 over 10 years suggest a focus on infrastructure development or process modification, rather than direct social programs.
- For the majority of residents, especially those less involved with local governance, the impact might be low or unnoticeable.
- Given the estimated population of 700,000 in DC, the policy is intended to create long-term procedural benefits rather than immediate societal impact.
Simulated Interviews
City Council Staff (District of Columbia)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could really streamline our operations.
- Electronic transmission will save us time and reduce errors.
- Ultimately, it'll make our work more efficient and accurate, benefiting the legislative process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Government Ethics Auditor (District of Columbia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving legislative efficiency is crucial for transparency.
- The act will assist in my role by ensuring faster access to up-to-date documents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Teacher (District of Columbia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly affected by how documents are transmitted.
- It's nice knowing the government is improving efficiencies, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (District of Columbia)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm unlikely to notice any direct changes in my daily operations.
- I do appreciate anything that makes the local government more efficient.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Nonprofit Director (District of Columbia)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that enables faster legislative processes is beneficial for our advocacy work.
- We rely on timely information, so this could have a positive impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (District of Columbia)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m retired, so this policy doesn’t directly affect me.
- It's reassuring to know efforts are being made to modernize government practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (District of Columbia)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find the idea of electronic transmittal very modern and necessary.
- As someone interested in policy, it makes governance more accessible and transparent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Journalist (District of Columbia)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Quicker access to legislative documents can greatly enhance the accuracy and timeliness of my reporting.
- I support any measure that increases governmental transparency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Developer (District of Columbia)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy has potential benefits for tech integration in government processes.
- I'm curious to see if contracts arise for electronic systems enhancements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Public Health Official (District of Columbia)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Operational efficiency in the council could indirectly benefit public health initiatives.
- Our reports often follow legislative updates, so quicker turnarounds are a plus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 2: $200000 (Low: $100000, High: $400000)
Year 3: $200000 (Low: $100000, High: $400000)
Year 5: $200000 (Low: $100000, High: $400000)
Year 10: $200000 (Low: $100000, High: $400000)
Year 100: $200000 (Low: $100000, High: $400000)
Key Considerations
- Initial implementation costs could vary significantly based on the technology and security measures chosen.
- Potential cybersecurity risks should be thoroughly evaluated to safeguard digital legislative transmittals.
- Long-term savings may offset initial implementation costs.
- Importance of training and adapting legislative staff to new digital systems.