# 119-s-2517: A bill to impose criminal penalties for camping on public property in the District of Columbia.

119-s-2517, A bill to impose criminal penalties for camping on public property in the District of Columbia., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2517
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2517
- Congress: 119
- Title: A bill to impose criminal penalties for camping on public property in the District of Columbia.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-07-29
- Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**This bill would criminalize camping on public property in the District of Columbia.** It defines 'camp' as using any material to set up, maintain, or establish a temporary place of abode and makes camping on public property a crime punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Criminal ban on camping in D.C.: cost, medium. This bill would make it a crime to camp on public property in Washington, D.C. "Camp" would mean using any material to set up or maintain a temporary place to live. If convicted, a person could face a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both. The rule would take effect upon enactment.

## Related bills

- 119-s-2342: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4615: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-s-2142: GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-2010: TERMS Act
- 119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-2517 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2517)

## Related
- [119-s-2342: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2342)
- [119-s-4615: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4615)
- [119-s-2142: GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2142)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-2010: TERMS Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2010)
- [119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-292)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2517 (as of 2026-04-21).