Clemency Board Waiver Authority Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Temporary waiting-period relief for D.C. pardon applicants

The D.C. Clemency Board can temporarily waive the five-year pardon waiting period after an applicant submits a written request. The Board must receive notice from the Office of the Pardon Attorney confirming a federal waiver. That waiver must come from the Pardon Attorney or President under Department of Justice Manual section 9-140.112. Applicants on probation, parole, or supervised release cannot get the Board's waiver. The Board can deny requests or ask for more information, including a meeting with the applicant. The application waits for the Board's decision, and the Board must notify the applicant in writing. A waiver does not remove other pardon requirements. The law takes effect after mayoral approval or a veto override and a 60-day congressional review. It expires 225 days after taking effect.