H.R. 5163 · Where this bill is now
Waiting for a House vote
Approved by committee Oct 14, 2025; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBans camping on DC public property
This bill would make it illegal to camp outdoors on public property in Washington, D.C. People who break this rule could face a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
How it affects you
If you live in or visit Washington, D.C., this would change what activities are allowed in public spaces like parks and sidewalks. People experiencing homelessness would be most directly affected, as camping outdoors would become a prosecutable offense in the district.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 4, 2025)
This bill prohibits camping outdoors on public property in the District of Columbia. The penalty for a violation of the prohibition is a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5163
A BILL
Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act
Sponsor: Rep. William R. Timmons (R-SC-4) · Introduced Sep 4, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 14, 2025: “Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 294.”