Revised Business Licensing Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill revises business licensing rules in the District of Columbia, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses, particularly entertainment venues and residential property owners, by: (1) requiring the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection to notify neighborhood commissions (instead of holding public hearings) for certain venue licenses; (2) reinstating the option for a 4-year business license (previously eliminated by the BEST Act); (3) allowing license renewal for expired licenses over 9 months with a penalty; and (4) restoring the Mayor’s authority to refund incorrectly paid fees. These changes address implementation gaps ahead of the BEST Act’s full rollout.