District of Columbia Bills

The Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025 establishes a program within the District of Columbia Department of Health to support farmers markets, particularly in areas with limited access to healthy food. It creates a grant program to cover operational costs, infrastructure, and year-round operations for markets in low-food-access neighborhoods, while requiring discounted permitting fees for those locations. The bill standardizes licensing requirements across agencies and provides technical assistance to streamline permitting processes. These changes directly aim to expand access to fresh, locally grown food for approximately 330,000 residents in underserved areas, including 111,000 residents earning below 185% of the federal poverty line.

This bill extends the deadline for housing providers to register rental properties from 90 to 180 days after the rent control database launches. It specifically requires owners of properties *not* subject to rent stabilization (exempt units) to report current monthly rent and rent from the previous two calendar years at registration time. The changes apply only to non-rent-controlled housing and expire 225 days after the bill takes effect. This amendment temporarily modifies the 1985 Rental Housing Act to simplify registration for exempt properties.

This bill temporarily restructures the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) by replacing its Board of Commissioners with a new 9-member "Stabilization and Reform Board" for 2025. The board requires specific expertise (e.g., affordable housing finance, federal regulations, resident experience) and mandates actions to reform DCHA operations, directly affecting DCHA’s 50,000+ public housing residents and its management. Key mechanisms include defining the board’s composition, requiring resident and voucher holder representation, and specifying that the Mayor appoints members with Council approval. The bill is temporary, sunsetting after 2025, and focuses on governance changes to revitalize DCHA without altering existing housing laws.

This temporary 2025 bill amends Washington, D.C.'s Open Meetings Act to clarify key definitions and exemptions. It specifies that a "meeting" includes gatherings where public business is discussed but excludes casual gatherings, press conferences, or policy briefings without action. The bill allows public bodies to discuss terrorist threats or public health risks without public disclosure (if disclosure would endanger safety) and exempts Council-Mayor meetings from the act if no official action is taken. It also requires public bodies to make meetings accessible to the public either live or as soon as reasonably practicable after the meeting. The amendment applies temporarily to D.C. public bodies like city councils and committees.

This temporary bill (effective January 1, 2026) amends District of Columbia law to allow colleges and athletic conferences to assist student-athletes with name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements. It permits institutions to help athletes select agents, arrange payments, and collect money from third parties for NIL deals, while removing a prior rule that blocked colleges from compensating athletes for their NIL. The bill also pauses certain financial disclosure requirements for athletic boards and commissions. These changes will last 225 days before expiring.

This bill provides a 15-year tax abatement for the 1333 M Street, SE development project (River’s Edge) in Ward 6, starting in 2029. It reduces real property taxes on the site by covering amounts exceeding $150,000 annually, but only if the developer sets aside 12% of residential units for households earning ≤60% of median income and completes specific neighborhood improvements. These include a greenway on Water Street, reconstructed bike trails, pedestrian plazas, and 52 public bicycle spaces. The tax relief directly benefits the developer (FRF Land Owner LLC) and aims to support affordable housing and public infrastructure in the Anacostia River neighborhood.

This bill (B 26-0262) is part of Mayor Bowser's FY2026 budget package to address a $1 billion revenue shortfall over four years, driven by federal job losses and economic uncertainty. It directly affects DC residents and city operations through adjustments to spending and taxes, including a reduced Universal Paid Leave tax rate (0.72% from 0.75%) and $180 million in new funding for public safety and schools. Key mechanisms include targeted investments in economic growth (e.g., $171 million for Capital One Arena improvements, $24 million for tech startups) and "rightsizing" unsustainable spending in health services and government operations. The budget maintains core services like DC Public Schools funding ($2.8 billion) and affordable housing ($160 million for the Housing Production Trust Fund). It is a financial plan, not a policy bill, designed to stabilize city finances amid revenue shortfalls.

This bill is a budget proposal addressing a $1 billion revenue shortfall caused by federal job losses (40,000 jobs) over four years. It directly affects DC residents by reallocating funds to key priorities: $30 million for police hiring and crime technology, $2.8 billion for schools, and $160 million for affordable housing. Key mechanisms include reducing the Universal Paid Leave tax from 0.75% to 0.72%, funding tech industry incentives ($2.2 million for DC Tech Ecosystem Fund), and pausing certain building regulations to spur economic growth. The proposal aims to "rightsizing" spending to match revenue growth while maintaining core services like public safety and education. It is part of the Mayor’s FY 2026 budget submission, not a finalized law.

This resolution declares a fiscal emergency due to a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall from federal job losses and economic uncertainty. It authorizes the District government to implement revised budget procedures for Fiscal Year 2026, enabling adjustments to address the shortfall. The resolution directly affects how the District manages its budget operations during this emergency period, allowing for streamlined budget adjustments without standard legislative review. It is a procedural step supporting the broader "Grow DC" budget plan, not a substantive policy change.

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0071) honors Olivia Cadaval, a longtime advocate for DC's Latino community and cultural preservation. It formally recognizes her life and work - including her leadership at El Centro de Arte, her role at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and her mentorship of underrepresented artists - without creating any new policies or obligations. The resolution takes effect immediately upon publication and serves solely as a symbolic tribute. It directly affects no individuals or entities through policy changes, as it is a commemorative gesture only.

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0069) formally recognizes Gladys Williams, a 100-year-old Shaw neighborhood resident and longtime District of Columbia citizen, on her 100th birthday. It honors her 95 years of residency in DC, her 40+ year nursing career at Freedmen’s Hospital and Jefferson Memorial Hospital, her participation in the March on Washington, and her lifelong community service. The resolution has no legal effect - it simply celebrates her personal achievements and legacy through official council recognition. It takes effect immediately upon publication in the District of Columbia Register.

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0070) declares August 15, 2025, as "Saint Romero Day" in the District of Columbia. It honors Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero, a Salvadoran archbishop recognized for his advocacy for human rights and justice during El Salvador's civil war. The resolution specifically acknowledges his enduring impact on Washington, D.C.'s Salvadoran Latino community, which has deep historical ties to his legacy. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or affect any legal rights or obligations.