This bill amends existing laws to strengthen consumer protections for residential electricity and natural gas customers in Washington, D.C. It requires third-party energy suppliers to cap their prices at no more than 110% of the standard utility rate, with exceptions allowed for suppliers offering renewable energy or those deemed to be in the public interest. Additionally, the legislation grants residents the right to cancel their energy contracts at any time without facing early termination fees or penalties. The bill also holds energy companies legally responsible for any violations committed by their agents, contractors, or brokers.
The First Responders Facilities Modernization Act of 2026 creates a structured process to update and maintain facilities for the District's police and fire departments. It requires the Mayor to establish a new office dedicated to developing a comprehensive 10-year plan for these buildings, which must be reviewed and approved by the City Council every five years. This plan will use specific data, such as crime rates, call volumes, and neighborhood growth, to decide which facilities need repairs or upgrades first. Additionally, the law mandates that the Mayor submit a revised plan within 180 days if the Council rejects the initial proposal.
The Public Trust in Utility Regulation Act of 2026 requires electric and gas companies in the District of Columbia to provide detailed information about proposed capital investments when seeking rate increases. This legislation mandates that utility firms disclose the purpose, cost, and expected benefits of each project to the Public Service Commission and make this data publicly available. Additionally, the bill establishes a requirement for the Commission to audit public utility finances, expenditures, and service quality every three years. These measures aim to increase transparency and accountability in utility regulation without changing the Public Service Commission's existing authority. The primary goal is to help residents and policymakers better understand how utility costs are determined and ensure investments serve the public interest.
This bill updates the reporting rules for the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment, requiring the agency to publish certain reports on its website instead of sending them directly to the City Council. Key changes include reducing how often some reports are submitted, such as switching from annual to biennial schedules for the Green Building Commission, and extending the time period covered by some reports from one year to two. The legislation also removes outdated or duplicate reporting requirements and adjusts deadlines to better align with when data is available. Ultimately, the bill aims to streamline administrative processes while maintaining public access to information about environmental programs and expenditures.
This bill updates existing safety laws to include two new sports venues, the Downtown Arena and the Southeast Arena, in regulations that currently apply to other stadiums in the District of Columbia. The primary change prohibits unauthorized individuals from entering the playing surfaces of these arenas unless they have explicit permission from the venue operators. By adding these locations to the legal definition of regulated areas, the measure ensures consistent safety standards across all major sports facilities in the city.
The Smoke Detector Safety Amendment Act of 2025 prohibits the sale or installation of solely battery-operated smoke detectors that are not tamper-resistant in Washington, D.C., effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects retailers, installers, and manufacturers selling or installing these devices within the District. The bill defines "tamper-resistant" as detectors where batteries cannot be manually removed, replaced, or disabled by consumers. Violations may result in civil fines up to $500, and residents can file written complaints with the Mayor alleging non-compliance.
The "Clemency Board Waiver Authority Amendment Act of 2025" would allow the District of Columbia's Clemency Board to grant waivers of the five-year waiting period required for pardon applicants. Currently, applicants must wait five years after release from confinement or five years after conviction (if no prison sentence was imposed) before applying for a pardon, but the federal Department of Justice can grant waivers of this requirement. This bill would enable the Board to grant similar waivers when the Office of the Pardon Attorney has already provided a waiver to the applicant, though the Board could decline to grant a waiver even with federal approval. The Board would not be permitted to grant waivers to individuals on probation, parole, or supervised release, and would need to provide written notice of their waiver decision.
This bill ensures couples can obtain marriage licenses in Washington, D.C., during federal government shutdowns. It authorizes the Mayor to temporarily issue marriage licenses and manage related duties when the Superior Court (which normally handles licenses) cannot operate due to a shutdown. The Mayor would use modified forms and maintain records during these periods, while the Court resumes full responsibility afterward. This directly affects engaged couples, families, and wedding officiants who previously faced uncertainty during shutdowns, which have occurred frequently in recent years.
This bill reappoints Laura Hankins as a voting member of the Commission on the Selection and Tenure of Administrative Law Judges for the Office of Administrative Hearings in the District of Columbia. The resolution establishes her 3-year term beginning immediately and ending on April 30, 2029, with the Council of the District of Columbia formally transmitting the appointment to relevant officials. Hankins, a former public defender and legal ethics committee member, will continue her role in overseeing the selection and tenure processes for administrative law judges who handle government hearings. The measure is a procedural appointment that does not alter existing laws or policies but confirms an existing position within the District's administrative justice system.
This bill confirms Barbara Jones as a voting member of the District of Columbia State Athletics Commission, filling a vacant seat for the remainder of an unexpired term ending in November 2028. The resolution follows a nomination by Mayor Muriel Bowser and requires confirmation by the Council of the District of Columbia in accordance with existing confirmation procedures. Once adopted, the Council will transmit a copy of the resolution to both the nominee and the Mayor, and the confirmation takes effect immediately. The bill does not change the commission's structure or powers but rather appoints an individual to an existing position.
This is a confirmation resolution, not a policy bill. It formally requests the Council of the District of Columbia to confirm Mayor Bowser's reappointment of May Chan to the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission for a term ending April 30, 2030. The resolution provides no new policy changes - it solely addresses the procedural confirmation of an existing nominee for a commission that handles property tax appeals. The bill text includes Ms. Chan's professional background but does not alter any laws or create new obligations.
This is a procedural confirmation resolution, not a substantive legislative bill. It formally requests the Council of the District of Columbia to confirm Mayor Bowser's reappointment of Trent Williams as Chairperson of the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission (RPTAC) for a term ending April 30, 2030. The resolution follows standard confirmation procedures under D.C. law and does not establish new policies or alter existing laws. It directly affects the RPTAC's leadership structure and the Mayor's appointment process.
