District of Columbia Bills

This bill creates a permanent funding source for Washington, D.C.'s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and related behavioral health services by imposing a modest monthly fee on telecommunications services (landlines, wireless, prepaid, VoIP). The fee structure mirrors the existing E911 charge, generating an estimated $12.5 million annually from D.C.'s 16.3 million telecom lines. Revenue will fund three key crisis response components: the 24/7 988 hotline, mobile crisis teams (CRT and ChAMPS), and crisis stabilization facilities. The legislation replaces temporary federal grants with a dedicated "988 Fund" within the Department of Behavioral Health, ensuring sustainable operations and reducing reliance on volatile budget allocations.

This bill changes how the District of Columbia makes payments into three employee benefit funds, moving from annual or quarterly schedules to monthly or per-pay-period contributions. It directly affects the District government's financial management and the administration of retirement and insurance benefits for city employees. The key changes require contributions to health and life insurance funds to be made on a regular pay period basis, defined contribution plans to be funded per pay period, and police, fire, and teacher retirement funds to be deposited on the 15th and last day of each month. These adjustments allow the District to spread payments more evenly throughout the year rather than making larger lump sums at specific times.

This bill confirms the reappointment of Helaina Roisman as a member of the Violence Fatality Review Committee to represent an organization that provides services to secondary victims of homicide or suicide. The resolution formally approves her reappointment for a term ending October 12, 2028, following her nomination by Mayor Muriel Bowser. Roisman, a licensed clinical social worker with experience in injury prevention and trauma support, will continue her role in reviewing cases related to violence fatalities in the District of Columbia. The bill requires the Council to transmit a copy of the resolution to both the nominee and the Mayor upon adoption.

This bill creates a new moratorium zone in the Targeted ANC 8A area of Southeast Washington, D.C., which limits the number of off-premises alcohol licenses that can be issued within its boundaries. The zone is defined by specific streets and landmarks, and the law caps the number of Class A licenses at three and Class B licenses at one within that area. The restrictions do not apply to full-service grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, or taverns, which are exempt from the license limits. The Mayor is authorized to issue rules to implement these provisions, subject to a 30-day review period by the Council.

This bill confirms the reappointment of Ajia Minnis to the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology for the remainder of her term, which ends on December 13, 2028. The resolution formally approves her continued service as a specialty cosmetologist member of the board, following a nomination by Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Council of the District of Columbia is required to adopt this confirmation and transmit a copy of the resolution to both the nominee and the Mayor's office. This procedural measure does not alter board membership requirements or policies but simply completes the appointment process for an existing term.

This bill confirms the reappointment of David Cavalcante, a tattoo artist and Ward 4 resident, to the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology for a term ending December 13, 2029. The resolution formally approves his nomination by the Mayor for continued service on the board, which oversees standards and regulations for barber and cosmetology professionals in the District. The Council is required to transmit a copy of the confirmed resolution to both the nominee and the Mayor's Office upon adoption. This procedural measure follows standard confirmation procedures established by the District's confirmation laws.

This bill confirms Anwar Saleem's appointment to the Board of Barber and Cosmetology in the District of Columbia for the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 13, 2027. The resolution formally approves the Mayor's nomination of Saleem, a licensed barber and business owner in Ward 1, to serve as a member of the regulatory board that oversees barber and cosmetology professionals in the District. The confirmation process follows standard procedures under the District's Confirmation Act, requiring the Council to review and ratify the appointment before it takes effect. This action allows Saleem to participate in board decisions regarding industry standards, licensing requirements, and professional regulations for barbers and cosmetologists in Washington, D.C.

This bill confirms the reappointment of Vernon Martin as a member of the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology for the remainder of his term, which ends on December 13, 2028. The resolution formally approves Martin's nomination by the Mayor and authorizes the Council to transmit the confirmation to both the nominee and the Mayor's office. The measure does not alter any existing laws or create new policies, but rather follows the standard confirmation process required for appointing members to this regulatory board.

This bill is a procedural confirmation resolution that formally approves the reappointment of Dennis Smith to the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology. It affects only the Council of the District of Columbia, which must vote to confirm the Mayor's nomination of Smith for the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 13, 2028. The resolution does not create new policies or change existing regulations, but simply completes the administrative process of appointing a board member to serve on the committee that oversees barber and cosmetology licensing in the District.

This bill confirms the reappointment of Michael J. Jelen to the District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineering for a term ending January 19, 2029. The resolution formally approves the Mayor's nomination of Jelen, a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience in civil engineering and infrastructure management, to continue serving on the board that oversees engineering licensure and regulatory standards in the District. The Council's confirmation is required under the District's confirmation procedures for board members, and the resolution will be transmitted to both the nominee and the Mayor's office upon adoption.

This bill expands short-term rental licensing in Washington, D.C. by allowing renters to apply for licenses, permitting owners of second properties to license them, and creating special event endorsements for properties used during events like the Cherry Blossom Festival. It also requires booking platforms to obtain business licenses and display host license numbers on listings to improve compliance and protect residents. Additionally, the legislation clarifies definitions of family members and primary residences, excludes rent-stabilized units from eligibility, and establishes penalties for unregistered rentals.