Sec. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE
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## SEC. 2 FINDINGS; PURPOSE ###
(a)Findings Congress finds the following: ####
(1)A combination of accumulated operating deficits, cash shortages, management inefficiencies, and deficit spending in the current fiscal year have created a fiscal emergency in the District of Columbia. ####
(2)As a result of its current financial problems and management inefficiencies, the District of Columbia government fails to provide its citizens with effective and efficient services in areas such as education, health care, crime prevention, trash collection, drug abuse treatment and prevention, human services delivery, and the supervision and training of government personnel. ####
(3)The current financial and management problems of the District government have already adversely affected the long-term economic health of the District of Columbia by causing the migration of residents and businesses out of the District of Columbia and the failure of new residents and businesses to move to the District of Columbia. ####
(4)The fiscal and management problems in the District of Columbia government are pervasive across all segments of the government. ####
(5)A comprehensive approach to fiscal, management, and structural problems must be undertaken which exempts no part of the District government and which preserves home rule for the citizens of the District of Columbia. ####
(6)The current deficit of the District of Columbia must be resolved over a multi-year period, since it cannot be effectively addressed in a single year. ####
(7)The ability of the District government to obtain funds from capital markets in the future will be severely diminished without Congressional action to restore its financial stability. ####
(8)The failure to improve the financial situation of the District government will adversely affect the long-term economic health of the entire National Capital region. ####
(9)The efficient operation of the Federal Government may be adversely affected by the current problems of the District of Columbia not only through the services the District government provides directly to the Federal Government but through services provided indirectly such as street and traffic flow maintenance, public safety, and services affecting tourism. ###
(b)Purpose The purposes of this Act are as follows: ####
(1)To eliminate budget deficits and cash shortages of the District of Columbia through visionary financial planning, sound budgeting, accurate revenue forecasts, and careful spending. ####
(2)To ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of services, including public safety services, by the District government during a period of fiscal emergency. ####
(3)To conduct necessary investigations and studies to determine the fiscal status and operational efficiency of the District government. ####
(4)To assist the District government in— #####
(A)restructuring its organization and workforce to ensure that the residents of the District of Columbia are served by a local government that is efficient and effective; #####
(B)achieving an appropriate relationship with the Federal Government; #####
(C)ensuring the appropriate and efficient delivery of services; and #####
(D)modernizing its budget, accounting, personnel, procurement, information technology, and management systems to ensure the maximum financial and performance accountability of the District government and its officers and employees. ####
(5)To enhance the District government's access to the capital markets and to ensure the continued orderly payment of its debt service obligations. ####
(6)To ensure the long-term financial, fiscal, and economic vitality and operational efficiency of the District of Columbia. ####
(7)To examine the programmatic and structural relationship between the District government and the Federal Government. ####
(8)To provide for the review of the financial impact of activities of the District government before such activities are implemented or submitted for Congressional review. ###
(c)Rules of Construction Nothing in this Act may be construed— ####
(1)to relieve any obligations existing as of the date of the enactment of this Act of the District government to repay any individual or entity from whom the District has borrowed funds, whether through the issuance of bonds or otherwise; ####
(2)to limit the authority of Congress to exercise ultimate legislative authority over the District of Columbia pursuant to Article I, section 8, clause 17 of the Constitution of the United States; ####
(3)to amend, supersede, or alter the provisions of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code, or sections 431 through 434, 445, and 602(a)(4) of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act (pertaining to the organization, powers, and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts); or ####
(4)to authorize the application of section 103(e) or 303(b)(3) of this Act (relating to issuance of subpoenas) to judicial officers or employees of the District of Columbia courts. # TITLE I ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF AUTHORITY