Sponsor
H. Morgan Griffith
Representative · R-VA
Representative · R-VA
The bill shifts most local control of the retroceded territory to Maryland and clarifies federal land boundaries while preserving legal and benefit continuity, but it transfers costs and administrative burdens to Maryland, creates substantial statutory and implementation work, and produces transitional uncertainty and representation changes for District residents.
Residents and property owners in the retroceded area will become subject to Maryland law and gain representation in Maryland government instead of being under direct Congressional authority.
Contracts, pending cases, federal benefits, pensions, and education/scholarship coverage for people tied to the retroceded area will continue under the new arrangement, preserving legal and benefit continuity and avoiding abrupt disruptions.
The Act clarifies and fixes the Federal District's perimeter and updates statutory references (e.g., 'District of Columbia' → 'Federal District'), reducing long-term legal ambiguity about which lands remain federal.
People living in the retroceded area will face changes in local regulations, taxes, and services as Maryland law replaces D.C. law, creating potential new costs and adjustments for households and businesses.
Maryland (and its taxpayers) will inherit D.C.'s obligations and many administrative responsibilities, potentially increasing state costs for services, maintenance, and liabilities.
Removing or changing most references to the District of Columbia across federal statutes and administrative rules will require widespread statutory amendments and agency changes, creating transitional confusion and compliance burdens for federal and state administrators.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Returns most of the District of Columbia to Maryland while keeping a narrowly defined federal core under congressional control, contingent on Maryland acceptance and a presidential proclamation.
Official title: To provide for the retrocession of the District of Columbia to Maryland, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 10, 2025 by H. Morgan Griffith · Last progress June 10, 2025
Retrocedes most of the District of Columbia back to the State of Maryland while keeping a narrowly drawn “Federal District” around the core federal buildings and monuments under exclusive federal control. The transfer only takes effect if Maryland enacts accepting legislation and the President issues a proclamation; the act also ties the effective date to the repeal of the Twenty-Third Amendment if needed. The bill preserves U.S. ownership and limited federal jurisdiction over specified federal lands, shifts other property and legal responsibilities to Maryland, updates federal residency and court-related references to reflect a “Federal District,” and protects retirement, benefit, and personnel obligations for affected employees and retirees.