The Fair Taxation of Municipal Bonds Amendment Act of 2025 would maintain the tax exemption for interest earned on out-of-state municipal bonds purchased before January 1, 2025. This directly protects District of Columbia residents, particularly retirees on fixed incomes, who had relied on this exemption when making investment decisions. The bill amends the tax code to explicitly exclude interest from such pre-2025 bonds from taxable income calculations. This change prevents unexpected tax bills on bonds held under prior tax rules, aligning with similar approaches in other states like Utah.
The Industrial Revenue Bond Forward Commitment Program Amendment Act of 2025 removes a $850 million cap on the total value of industrial revenue bonds the District can issue and shortens application review times from 30 to 10 days. It also broadens the program to cover more types of development projects, including those authorized under the Home Rule Act. These changes aim to help businesses and developers in the District secure financing faster for industrial, commercial, and other eligible projects. The bill directly affects organizations seeking bond-funded development and streamlines the District's revenue bond approval process.
This bill creates a streamlined process for property owners to change their tax classification to residential when a building permit is issued for residential use. Owners must apply for the classification change with the Chief Financial Officer, providing documentation, and tax rates apply for the entire tax year if the application is submitted between October 1 and March 31, or only for the second half of the year if submitted between April 1 and September 30. If the property isn't used for residential purposes within three years (or by the date of a certificate of occupancy), the classification reverts, and owners must pay back taxes plus penalties. Property owners can appeal denied applications within 45 days.
This bill increases the personal property tax exemption threshold for District of Columbia businesses from $225,000 to $325,000. It directly affects small businesses with tangible property (like equipment and furniture) valued below $325,000, removing the requirement to file the FP-31 tax return form. Businesses under the new threshold will no longer need to report property values or depreciation, reducing administrative burdens. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2026, aligning with inflation adjustments moving forward.
This bill amends Washington, D.C.'s Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program to strengthen certification standards. It requires businesses seeking CBE status to be "independently owned and operated" (meaning they control their own day-to-day operations without external business control), adds a 30-day reporting requirement for CBEs to notify the Department of Small and Local Business Development of significant changes (like ownership shifts or address changes), and clarifies that CBEs in joint ventures must perform work proportional to their ownership stake. The changes directly affect businesses applying for or holding CBE certification under the program, including minority-owned, veteran-owned, and locally based enterprises. These provisions aim to ensure program integrity by verifying business independence and updating compliance requirements.
The Automatic Retirement Savings Act of 2025 establishes a District-managed retirement savings program for private-sector employees in Washington, D.C., who lack employer-sponsored plans, and certain self-employed individuals. It requires automatic 3% wage deductions (with opt-out options) for eligible workers, managed by a new Retirement Savings Board, to build retirement savings. Accounts are portable across jobs since the District, not employers, manages them - addressing gaps for approximately 173,000 current workers without workplace retirement options.
The Proficient Procurement Amendment Act of 2025 would exempt District government agencies from certified business enterprise (CBE) requirements when purchasing vehicles or technology. This exemption applies if the goods aren’t reasonably available through CBEs at comparable price/performance, if direct purchases offer better benefits (like manufacturer warranties), or if required for compliance. Agencies must report these exempt purchases annually to the Office of Contracting and Procurement and the Council, split by contract value ($250,000 or less, and over). The change aims to reduce administrative delays and costs while maintaining oversight of taxpayer spending.
The Local News Funding Act of 2025 creates a system where District of Columbia registered voters receive five "news coupons" each to allocate online to local news outlets they support. Eligible outlets - such as newspapers, radio stations, podcasts, or digital platforms - must register with the Community Journalism Board, provide free local news, distinguish news from advertising, and disclose ownership. The program is funded by 0.1% of the District’s general fund budget (about $11.6 million annually), distributing grants based on voter allocations. The Community Journalism Board also administers the program and offers development grants for training and technical support to participating outlets.
This bill authorizes physical poker and blackjack gaming at designated locations in the District of Columbia, specifically at eligible establishments holding certain liquor licenses (like restaurants or hotels with Class C/H, D/H, or arena CX permits). It creates a regulatory framework where the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Office of Lottery and Gaming will issue licenses, collect taxes, and enforce rules for these card games, while explicitly excluding online or electronically determined play. The law defines "card gaming" as wagering on physical games with real cards at authorized venues, requiring operators to follow specific rules set by the Chief Financial Officer. This change aims to generate revenue from local gambling activities currently drawing residents to Maryland and support tourism through events like poker tournaments.
The Displacement Prevention Amendment Act of 2025 increases the maximum amount of the District's Schedule H tax credit for renters and homeowners in four specific census tracts (73.04, 74.04, 98.04, and 104) that have high poverty rates and housing cost burdens. It allows eligible residents in these areas to claim a tax credit up to twice the current maximum, helping them offset housing costs. This targeted relief primarily affects low-income households in Ward 8 - where nearly 58% of residents are rent-burdened - and other high-risk neighborhoods. The bill aims to prevent displacement by providing immediate financial stability for residents most vulnerable to eviction.
This bill grants a 48-month extension to SOME, Inc. (the owner of 4111 Kansas Avenue NW) to meet nonprofit workforce housing certification requirements under District law. It also forgives and refunds all real property taxes assessed on that property from May 21, 2022, through the end of the 48-month extension period. The bill directly affects only this specific property and owner, providing relief from both recertification timelines and past tax liabilities. It does not create new policy or affect other properties.
This bill increases the maximum annual property tax credit for small retail businesses in Washington, D.C., from $10,000 to $20,000, effective for tax years ending December 31, 2026, and beyond. It directly affects small retailers with under $3 million in annual revenue, including neighborhood restaurants and shops struggling with rising costs. The key mechanism raises the credit amount in the tax code, allowing these businesses to reduce their property taxes or rent paid for property taxes. The change is automatic and applies annually with cost-of-living adjustments, without creating new requirements for businesses.
