B 26-0586 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Net Zero Modification and Preservation Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

This bill temporarily modifies energy requirements for certain construction projects in Washington, D.C. It exempts specific types of buildings from net zero energy compliance, including temporary structures (like trailers), small additions under 10,000 square feet, public safety facilities (police/fire stations), and indoor pools (natatoriums). Projects with permits submitted before October 1, 2024, also qualify for the exemption. The changes apply until the Mayor issues final regulations under the Clean Energy DC Building Code Act, providing temporary flexibility for developers of these project types.

Issues: ✗ Energy

Sub-Topics: Renewable Energy

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Council Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to remove a requirement for subsidized housing projects to meet net-zero energy standards, which was previously repealed but re-added in the earlier version. The final version also updated the deadline for submitting construction permits to October 1, 2024, and changed the GBAC submission deadline to March 1, 2026. Additionally, the term 'substantial improvement' was replaced with 'Level 3 alterations' to clarify which projects are subject to energy compliance rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the repeal of Section 6 of the Housing Production Trust Fund Act, meaning subsidized housing projects are no longer exempt from net-zero energy requirements under this specific amendment.

ELIGIBILITY

The repeal of Section 6 of the Housing Production Trust Fund Act was removed, so subsidized housing projects are no longer exempt from net-zero energy compliance under this act.

TIMELINE

The deadline for submitting construction permits was set to October 1, 2024, and the GBAC submission deadline was set to March 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

The phrase 'substantial improvement' was replaced with 'Level 3 alterations' to align with updated building code terminology.

Floor votes · Council Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

12–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 13

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1

90% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 3, 2026

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0-1)

council

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

AMENDMENT (CM L. George)

legislature

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

B26-0586 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors