Chapter 8. Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies.

Subchapter I. After August 12, 1998.

§ 2–801. Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter:

(1) “Inaugural Committee” means the committee appointed by the President-elect to be in charge of the Presidential inaugural ceremony and functions and activities connected with the ceremony; and

(2) “inaugural period” means the period that includes the day on which the Presidential inaugural ceremony is held, the 5 calendar days immediately preceding that day, and the 4 calendar days immediately following that day.

§ 2–802. Regulations, licenses, and registration tags.

(a) Regulations and licenses. — For each inaugural period, the Council of the District of Columbia shall:

(1) Prescribe reasonable regulations necessary to preserve public order and protect life, health, and property;

(2) Prescribe special regulations related to the standing, movement, and operation of vehicles; and

(3) Grant special licenses to peddlers and vendors to sell merchandise in places the Council considers proper, subject to conditions and fees for the licenses the Council considers proper.

(b) Registration tags. — The Mayor of the District of Columbia may issue, for any motor vehicle made available for the use of the Inaugural Committee, special registration tags, valid for not more than 90 days, designed to celebrate the inauguration of the President and Vice President.

§ 2–803. Use of reservations, grounds, and public spaces.

(a) Permit for use. — With the approval of the officer having jurisdiction over any of the Federal reservations or grounds in the District of Columbia, the Secretary of the Interior may grant to the Inaugural Committee a permit to use the reservations or grounds during the inaugural period, including a reasonable time before and after the inaugural period. The Mayor of the District of Columbia may grant a similar permit to use public space under the Mayor’s jurisdiction. Each permit granted under this subsection is subject to conditions the grantor of the permit prescribes.

(b) Reviewing stands and commercial stands and structures. — A reviewing stand or a stand or structure for the sale of merchandise, food, or drink may be built on public grounds in the District of Columbia only if approved by the Inaugural Committee and by the Secretary or the Mayor, as appropriate.

(c) Restoration after inaugural period. — After the inaugural period, the reservation, ground, or public space occupied by a stand or structure shall be restored promptly to its prior condition.

(d) Indemnification. — The Inaugural Committee shall indemnify and save harmless the District of Columbia and the appropriate department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government against any loss or damage to, and against any liability arising from the use of, the reservation, ground, or public space, by the Inaugural Committee or a licensee of the Inaugural Committee.

§ 2–804. Installation and removal of electrical facilities.

(a) Installation. — The Mayor of the District of Columbia may allow the Inaugural Committee to install suitable overhead conductors and electrical facilities, with adequate supports. The official in charge of a park or reservation in the District of Columbia in which it is necessary to place wires shall supervise the placing and removal of those wires.

(b) Removal. — The conductors and supports shall be removed not later than 5 days after the end of the inaugural period.

(c) Indemnification. — The United States Government and the District of Columbia may not incur any expense or damage from the installation, operation, or removal of a temporary overhead conductor or electrical facility. The Inaugural Committee shall indemnify and hold harmless the District of Columbia and the appropriate department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government against any loss or damage, and against any liability arising, from any act of the Inaugural Committee or any agent, licensee, servant, or employee of the Inaugural Committee in connection with the installation, operation, or removal of a temporary overhead conductor or electrical facility.

§ 2–805. Extension of wires along parade routes.

The Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Inaugural Committee may allow communications companies to extend overhead wires to places along a parade route that are considered convenient for use in connection with the parade and other inaugural purposes. The wires shall be removed not later than 10 days after the inaugural period ends.

§ 2–806. Duration of regulations and licenses and publication of regulations.

Regulations prescribed and licenses authorized under this chapter are effective only during the inaugural period. The regulations shall be published in at least one daily newspaper published in the District of Columbia. A penalty prescribed for violating such a regulation may not be enforced until 5 days after publication

§ 2–807. Application to other property.

This chapter does not apply to the United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds or other property under the jurisdiction of Congress or a committee, commission, or officer of Congress. A service or facility authorized by or under this chapter is available for the property on request or approval of the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect.

§ 2–808. Enforcement.

The Mayor of the District of Columbia, or other official having jurisdiction in the premises, shall enforce this chapter, take necessary precautions to protect the public, and ensure that the pavement of any street, sidewalk, avenue, or alley disturbed or damaged is restored to its prior condition.

§ 2–809. Penalty.

A person violating a regulation prescribed under this chapter shall be fined under Title 18 [of the U.S. Code] or imprisoned for not more than 30 days. A separate violation occurs under this section for each day the violation continues.

§ 2–810. Authorization of appropriations.

(a) Authorization. — Necessary amounts are authorized to be appropriated—

(1) To enable the Mayor of the District of Columbia to provide additional municipal services in the District of Columbia during the inaugural period, including:

(A) Employment of personal services without regard to Chapters 33 and 51 and subchapter III of Chapter 58 of Title 5 [of the U.S. Code];

(B) Travel expenses of enforcement personnel, including sanitarians, from other jurisdictions;

(D) Meals for policemen, firemen, and other municipal employees;

(E) The cost of removing and relocating streetcar loading platforms, construction, rent, maintenance, and expenses incident to the operation of temporary public comfort stations, first-aid stations, and information booths; and

(F) Other incidental expenses in the discretion of the Mayor; and

(2) To enable the Secretary of the Interior to provide meals for the members of the United States Park Police during the inaugural period.

(b) Payment. — Amounts appropriated under:

(1) Subsection (a)(1) of this section are payable in the same way as other appropriations for the expenses of the District of Columbia; and

(2) Subsection (a)(2) of this section are payable in the same way as other appropriations for the expenses of the Department of the Interior.

Subchapter II. After August 6, 1956.

§ 2–821. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) The term “inaugural period” means the period which includes the day on which the ceremony of inaugurating the President is held, the 5 calendar days immediately preceding such day, and the 4 calendar days immediately subsequent to such day.

(2) The term “Inaugural Committee” means the committee in charge of the presidential inaugural ceremony and functions and activities connected therewith, to be appointed by the President-elect.

(3) The term “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia or his designated agent or agents.

(4) The term “Secretary of Defense” means the Secretary of Defense or his designated agent or agents.

(5) The term “Secretary of the Interior” means the Secretary of the Interior or his designated agent or agents.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1049, ch. 974, § 1 (b).)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1801.

1973 Ed., § 1-1201.

Change in Government

This section originated at a time when local government powers were delegated to a Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia (see Acts Relating to the Establishment of the District of Columbia and its Various Forms of Governmental Organization in Volume 1). Section 401 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 (see Reorganization Plans in Volume 1) transferred all of the functions of the Board of Commissioners under this section to a single Commissioner. The District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, 87 Stat. 818, § 711 ( D.C. Code, § 1-207.11), abolished the District of Columbia Council and the Office of Commissioner of the District of Columbia. These branches of government were replaced by the Council of the District of Columbia and the Office of Mayor of the District of Columbia, respectively. Accordingly, and also pursuant to § 714(a) of such Act ( D.C. Code, § 1-207.14(a)), appropriate changes in terminology were made in this section.

§ 2–822. Regulations by Council authorized; special registration tags.

(a) For each inaugural period the Council of the District of Columbia is authorized and directed to make all reasonable regulations necessary to secure the preservation of public order and protection of life, health, and property; to make special regulations respecting the standing, movement, and operation of vehicles of whatever character or kind during such period; and to grant, under such conditions as it may impose, special licenses to peddlers and vendors for the privilege of selling goods, wares, and merchandise in such places in the District of Columbia, and to charge such fees for such privilege, as it may deem proper.

(b) The Mayor of the District of Columbia is authorized to issue, for both duly registered motor vehicles and unregistered motor vehicles made available for the use of the Inaugural Committee, special registration tags, valid for a period not exceeding 90 days, designed to celebrate the occasion of the inauguration of the President and Vice President.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1049, ch. 974, § 2; Jan. 30, 1968, 82 Stat. 4, Pub. L. 90-251, § 1.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1802.

1973 Ed., § 1-1202.

Mayor's Orders

Issuance of 1985 Inaugural License Tags authorized: See Mayor’s Order 84-229, December 15, 1984.

Authorization for Issuance of 2001 Presidential Inaugural License, see Mayor’s Order 2001-05, January 5, 2001 ( 48 DCR 939).

Amendment to Mayor’s Order 2001-5, dated 1-5-01, Authorization for Issuance of 2001 Presidential Inaugural License Plates, see Mayor’s Order 2001-06, January 9, 2001 ( 48 DCR 941).

New Implementing Regulations

New implementing regulations: Pursuant to this section, the following new regulations were adopted in 1982: The “Presidential Inauguration Special Regulations and Rule of Interpretation Concerning Nonrevival of Statutes Act of 1982” (D.C. Law 4-125, July 2, 1982, 29 DCR 2093).

Change in Government

This section originated at a time when local government powers were delegated to a Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia (see Acts Relating to the Establishment of the District of Columbia and its Various Forms of Governmental Organization in Volume 1). Section 402(33) of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 (see Reorganization Plans in Volume 1) transferred all of the functions of the Board of Commissioners under this section to the District of Columbia Council, subject to the right of the Commissioner as provided in § 406 of the Plan. The District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, 87 Stat. 818, § 711 ( D.C. Code, § 1-207.11), abolished the District of Columbia Council and the Office of Commissioner of the District of Columbia. These branches of government were replaced by the Council of the District of Columbia and the Office of Mayor of the District of Columbia, respectively. Accordingly, and also pursuant to § 714(a) of such Act ( D.C. Code, § 1-207.14(a)), appropriate changes in terminology were made in this section.

§ 2–823. Appropriations; authorized; use.

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary, payable in like manner as other appropriations for the expenses of the District of Columbia, to enable the Mayor to provide additional municipal services in said District during the inaugural period, including employment of personal services without regard to the civil-service and classification laws; travel expenses of enforcement personnel, including sanitarians, from other jurisdictions; hire of means of transportation; meals for policemen, firemen, and other municipal employees, cost of removing and relocating streetcar loading platforms, construction, rent, maintenance, and expenses, incident to the operation of temporary public comfort stations, first-aid stations, and information booths; and other incidental expenses in the discretion of the Mayor; and such sums as may be necessary, payable in like manner as other appropriations for the expenses of the Department of the Interior, to enable the Secretary of the Interior to provide meals for the members of the United States Park Police during the inaugural period.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1049, ch. 974, § 3; Jan. 30, 1968, 82 Stat. 4, Pub. L. 90-251, § 2.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1803.

1973 Ed., § 1-1203.

References in Text

The “civil-service and classification laws,” referred to near the beginning of the section, are set forth in Title 5 of the United States Code.

Editor's Notes

Federal payment to the District of Columbia: Public Law 104-194, 110 Stat. 2356, the D.C. Appropriations Act, 1997, provided for payment to the District of Columbia, in lieu of reimbursements for expenses incurred in connection with Presidential inauguration activities, $5,702,000 as authorized by this section, which shall be apportioned by the Chief Financial Officer within the various appropriations in the act.

Change in Government

§ 2–824. Permits for use of federal grounds and reservations.

The Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of such officer as may exercise jurisdiction over any of the federal reservations or grounds in the District of Columbia, is authorized to grant to the Inaugural Committee permits for the use of such reservations or grounds during the inaugural period, including a reasonable time prior and subsequent thereto; and the Mayor is authorized to grant like permits for the use of public space under his jurisdiction. Each such permit shall be subject to such restrictions, terms, and conditions as may be imposed by the grantor of such permit. With respect to public space, no reviewing stand or any stand or structure for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise, food, or drink shall be built on any sidewalk, street, park, reservation, or other public grounds in the District of Columbia, except with the approval of the Inaugural Committee, and with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior or the Mayor, as the case may be, depending on the location of such stand or structure. The reservation, ground, or public space occupied by any such stand or structure shall, after the inaugural period, be promptly restored to its previous condition. The Inaugural Committee shall indemnify and save harmless the District of Columbia and the appropriate agency or agencies of the federal government against any loss or damage to such property and against any liability arising from the use of such property, either by the Inaugural Committee or a licensee of the Inaugural Committee.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1049, ch. 974, § 4.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1804.

1973 Ed., § 1-1204.

Change in Government

§ 2–825. Installation of electrical facilities.

The Mayor is authorized to permit the Inaugural Committee to install suitable overhead conductors and install suitable lighting or other electrical facilities, with adequate supports, for illumination or other purposes. If it should be necessary to place wires for illuminating or other purposes over any park or reservation in the District of Columbia, such placing of wires and their removal shall be under the supervision of the official in charge of said park or reservation. Such conductors with their supports shall be removed within 5 days after the end of the inaugural period. The Mayor, or such other officials as may have jurisdiction in the premises, shall enforce the provisions of this chapter, take needful precautions for the protection of the public, and insure that the pavement of any street, sidewalk, avenue, or alley which is disturbed or damaged is restored to its previous condition. No expense or damage from the installation, operation, or removal of said temporary overhead conductors or said illumination or other electrical facilities shall be incurred by the United States or the District of Columbia, and the Inaugural Committee shall indemnify and save harmless the District of Columbia and the appropriate agency or agencies of the federal government against any loss or damage and against any liability whatsoever arising from any act of the Inaugural Committee or any agent, licensee, servant, or employee of the Inaugural Committee.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1050, ch. 974, § 5.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1805.

1973 Ed., § 1-1205.

Change in Government

§ 2–826. Installation of communication facilities.

The Mayor, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Inaugural Committee are authorized to permit telegraph, telephone, radio-broadcasting, and television companies to extend overhead wires to such points along the line of any parade as shall be deemed convenient for use in connection with such parade and other inaugural purposes. Such wires shall be removed within 10 days after the conclusion of the inaugural period.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1050, ch. 974, § 7.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1806.

1973 Ed., § 1-1207.

Change in Government

§ 2–827. Effective period of regulations and licenses; publication of regulations; penalties.

The regulations and licenses authorized by this chapter shall be in full force and effect only during the inaugural period. Such regulations shall be published in 1 or more of the daily newspapers published in the District of Columbia and no penalty prescribed for the violation of any such regulation shall be enforced until 5 days after such publication. Any person violating any regulation promulgated by the Council of the District of Columbia under the authority of this chapter shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than 30 days. Each and every day a violation of such regulation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and the penalty prescribed shall be applicable to each such separate offense.

(Aug. 6, 1956, 70 Stat. 1051, ch. 974, § 8; Jan. 30, 1968, 82 Stat. 4, Pub. L. 90-251, § 3.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1807.

1973 Ed., § 1-1208.

Change in Government

This section originated at a time when local government powers were delegated to the District of Columbia Council and to a Commissioner of the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, 87 Stat. 818, § 711 ( D.C. Code, § 1-207.11), abolished the District of Columbia Council and the Office of Commissioner of the District of Columbia. These branches of government were replaced by the Council of the District of Columbia and the Office of Mayor of the District of Columbia, respectively. Accordingly, and also pursuant to § 714(a) of such Act ( D.C. Code, § 1-207.14(a)), appropriate changes in terminology were made in this section.

§ 2–828. Property under jurisdiction of Congress.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be applicable to the United States Capitol buildings or grounds or other properties under the jurisdiction of the Congress or any committee, commission, or officer thereof: Provided, however, that any of the services or facilities authorized by or under this chapter shall be made available with respect to any such properties upon request or approval of the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make the necessary arrangements for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect.

§ 2–829. Reference to “Mayor”.

Whenever the term “Mayor” is used in this chapter, such term will be deemed to refer to the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

(Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 974, § 10; Jan. 30, 1968, 82 Stat. 4, Pub. L. 90-251, § 4.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 1-1809.

1973 Ed., § 1-1211.