District of Columbia Bills

The Transparency Is Accountability Amendment Act of 2025 amends the District of Columbia's Freedom of Information Act to improve public access to government records. It specifically prohibits withholding 911 call records (with caller details redacted) and information about government misconduct - such as discrimination, criminal violations, or harassment - under privacy or inter-agency exemptions. Agencies must now justify withholding records by identifying specific foreseeable harm and consider releasing information when public interest outweighs low harm risk. This bill directly affects District residents by increasing transparency in government operations and accountability for public officials.

The Housing Development Growth Amendment Act of 2025 creates a new Office of Social Housing Developments in Washington, D.C., to manage District-owned housing projects. It requires all new developments to be mixed-income (with at least two-thirds of units permanently affordable for extremely, very, and low-income households, where rent never exceeds 30% of household income) and mandates net-zero emissions construction. The bill also updates existing laws to allow the District to use vacant government property for these developments, access housing trust funds for financing, and establish tenant governance structures. This directly affects D.C. residents in affordable housing, the District government (which must appoint an Office Director), and future housing developers working with city-owned properties.

This resolution confirms the appointment of Stephen Lanning to the Apprenticeship Council, filling a vacant seat for the remainder of an unexpired term ending November 19, 2026. Lanning, a Ward 1 resident and labor consultant with over 20 years in the construction industry, will serve as a public representative not affiliated with employee or employer organizations. The resolution is procedural, solely confirming a nomination under District law, and does not create new policy or affect existing programs.

This is a procedural confirmation resolution (PR 26-0149), not a policy bill. It formally confirms Mayor Bowser's reappointment of Frank Chiaramonte as an employer representative on the District of Columbia Apprenticeship Council for a term ending November 19, 2027. The resolution follows standard confirmation procedures under existing law (D.C. Official Code § 32-1402) and has no new policy provisions. It directly affects Mr. Chiaramonte, who currently serves as President of Chiaramonte Construction Company and resides in Ward 8.

The Natural Areas Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025 establishes a new program within the District of Columbia's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to protect and restore natural areas like parks, forests, wetlands, and shorelines owned or managed by the city. The program requires DOEE to develop a stewardship plan within 24 months, use integrated pest management to control invasive plants, and partner with community groups and the University of the District of Columbia to plant native species and manage trash. It authorizes DOEE to issue grants for community-led projects that provide training, tools, and technical assistance for invasive plant removal and low-impact recreation (such as hiking and birdwatching) in natural areas. The bill also mandates coordination with city departments like Parks and Recreation and the Metropolitan Police Department to maintain trails, combat illegal dumping, and monitor natural area conditions.

This resolution confirms William Dean's reappointment as an employer representative on the District of Columbia Apprenticeship Council for a term ending November 19, 2026. It directly affects William Dean (a business owner and current council chairman) and the Council, which oversees the District's apprenticeship program. The resolution serves only to formalize his continued service under existing law (D.C. Code § 32-1402), with no new policy changes or program modifications. It is a routine procedural step, not a legislative act altering apprenticeship rules or funding.

This bill expands the District of Columbia's Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) to include retirement-eligible correctional officers in the Department of Corrections (DOC). It allows these officers to continue working for up to three years after their normal retirement date while earning supplemental retirement benefits in a separate account, which they receive in full upon leaving service. The goal is to help DOC retain experienced staff and address persistent staffing shortages, as the department has faced vacancy rates exceeding 12% in recent fiscal years. This policy change directly affects DOC correctional officers who meet retirement eligibility requirements.

This bill requires the District's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to conduct a feasibility study by January 2026 identifying 20 specific locations - such as parks, roads, bike lanes, and private property - for installing solar canopies. These structures generate solar energy while providing shade, aiming to address heat exposure and expand renewable energy. The bill mandates that the District's Capital Improvements Plan fund five solar canopy projects starting in fiscal year 2027, and authorizes DOEE to issue grants to private entities for similar projects. It directly affects the District government, which must implement the study and funding, and private property owners who may access grant support.

This is a confirmation resolution (not a substantive bill), formally nominating Roberta Bell for appointment to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. It fills a vacant seat previously held by Kristin Atkins, requiring Council approval for her to serve until January 10, 2028. The resolution does not create new policy or change existing law - only confirms an appointment for a committee established under D.C. Law 22-111. The committee reviews maternal deaths to improve healthcare outcomes, but this resolution affects only personnel, not policy.

This resolution confirms Dr. Christina Marea's reappointment to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee for a term ending January 10, 2028. It directly affects Dr. Marea, who has expertise in obstetrics and gynecology from a District of Columbia hospital or birthing center, as required by the Maternal Mortality Review Committee Establishment Act of 2018. The resolution serves as the formal confirmation process for her continued service on the committee, established under D.C. Law 22-111. It does not create new policy but authorizes her reappointment to review maternal mortality cases in the District.

This bill is a procedural resolution confirming Dr. JaNeen Cross's reappointment to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. It formally approves her continuation as the social worker specializing in women's/maternal health on the committee, established under D.C. Law 22-111 (2018), for a term ending January 10, 2028. The resolution does not create new policy or affect broader legislation - it solely addresses the confirmation process for an existing committee position. It directly affects Dr. Cross's official role and the committee's composition.

This resolution confirms Mayor Bowser's appointment of Zoe Gutterman to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, filling a vacant seat previously held by Evette Hernandez. Gutterman, a certified nurse-midwife from Ward 7, will serve as the representative from the American College of Nurse-Midwives for the remainder of the term ending January 10, 2028. The resolution has no policy provisions - it solely formalizes an existing appointment under the Maternal Mortality Review Committee Establishment Act of 2018. (This is a procedural confirmation, not a policy bill.)