The
District of Columbia Home Rule Act is a
United States federal law passed on December 24, 1973 which devolved certain congressional powers of the
District of Columbia to local government, furthering
District of Columbia home rule. In particular, it includes the
District Charter (also called the Home Rule Charter), which provides for an elected
mayor and the
Council of the District of Columbia. The council is composed of a chairman elected at large and twelve members, four of whom are elected at large, and one from each of the District's eight wards. Council members are elected to four-year terms.