This bill adds a formal appeal process for property transfer and recordation taxes in Washington, D.C. It allows property sellers (transferors) and buyers (transferees) to challenge the fair market value used to calculate these taxes. If the Office of Tax and Revenue determines a value that seems too high, affected parties can file a petition for review within 45 days, with appeals possible to the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission or Superior Court. The key change is creating a clear legal path to contest tax valuations on property transfers, aiming to address cases where taxes may exceed the actual property value.
This bill (B 26-0226) makes permanent a District of Columbia pilot program that provides targeted support for people with substance use disorders (SUD) in high-need neighborhoods. It requires the Department of Behavioral Health to establish a program offering direct support (like crisis assessments), relationship development through consistent outreach, and resource brokering to connect individuals with housing, healthcare, and other services. The program designates specific geographic areas for focused intervention based on criteria like overdose rates, public substance use, and high pedestrian activity. Performance data on outcomes - including connections to treatment and overdose reversals - must be publicly reported every 90 days.
This bill prohibits the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) from signing or renewing e-book licensing agreements with publishers that include terms restricting public access. It specifically bans contracts that limit how many times a book can be lent, inflate prices beyond what the public pays, or prevent libraries from preserving digital materials. The law takes effect only after 10 other jurisdictions with at least 50 million combined residents pass similar laws, aiming to create a national strategy for fairer pricing. This directly affects DCPL and its patrons, who face longer wait times (36 days for e-books) and rising costs (e-book prices jumped from $60 to $75 per license in FY24).
This bill updates the District of Columbia's corporate tax rules by switching from the Joyce method to the Finnigan method for calculating how much income from a group of related companies should be taxed in the city. The change directly affects businesses that operate as a single unit across multiple locations, requiring them to file a combined tax return and share joint liability for the tax owed. Key provisions redefine how a "unitary business" is identified and establish new rules for selecting which company in the group will file the return and how income is apportioned. Additionally, the legislation clarifies definitions for terms like "tax haven" and "nexus" to ensure the tax code accurately reflects modern business structures.
This bill grants a permanent real property tax exemption for three specific properties owned or being sold to Society for Science, Inc. The exemption applies to properties at 1719 N St. NW (Lot 0062, Square 0158), 1723 N St. NW (Lot 0802, Square 0158), and 800 8th St. NW (Lot 0031, Square 0404), covering both the land and any improvements. The exemption removes the requirement for these properties to pay real property taxes under Chapter 8 of the District of Columbia tax code, provided Society for Science continues to own and use them. This exemption is in addition to any other tax benefits the organization may receive.
This bill symbolically designates a specific alley behind Union Wesley AME Zion Church (located at 1860 Michigan Avenue, NE) in Ward 5 as "Union Wesley Way." It directly recognizes the church's historical significance and community role through a formal street name, without altering physical infrastructure or imposing new requirements. The designation applies to a defined portion of public alley space in Square 4176, bounded by Queens Chapel Terrace, N.E., Michigan Avenue, N.E., Eastern Avenue, N.E., and Crittenden Street, N.E. This is a ceremonial measure to honor the church's 140-year service to the Queens Chapel neighborhood and the District.
This bill, the "Architect and Engineer Good Samaritan Amendment Act of 2025" (B 26-0173), would protect licensed architects and engineers in the District of Columbia from civil liability when volunteering during emergencies. It limits liability (except for gross negligence or willful misconduct) for professionals providing free, voluntary assistance at life-threatening emergencies in the built environment - like building safety assessments after disasters - when acting at an official's direction during a declared emergency or within 90 days after. To qualify, volunteers must complete a specific training program (referencing California's Safety Assessment Program) and work without compensation in good faith. The law aligns DC with 41 states that offer similar protections to these professionals.
This bill grants the Mayor of Washington, D.C. the authority to create and update rules necessary to enforce the Language Access Act of 2004. By declaring an emergency, the legislation allows the Office of Human Rights to immediately adopt regulations that ensure fair and effective language access for residents and visitors. The measures are designed to streamline the implementation of existing laws without requiring a lengthy legislative review process.
This bill authorizes an emergency modification to a contract with Eastern Salt Company, Inc. to increase the spending limit for de-icing salt from $1 million to $5 million. The change allows the District of Columbia to purchase additional salt for snow removal between January 22, 2026, and December 14, 2026. It also permits the immediate payment for salt already delivered and any future deliveries under the updated agreement. The legislation is classified as an emergency measure because the contract value exceeded the standard approval threshold within a single year.
This bill authorizes emergency contract modifications to increase the funding for Friendship Place, a nonprofit organization that provides short-term family housing in Washington, D.C. The legislation approves two specific changes that raise the maximum allowable contract amount from approximately $2.75 million to over $4 million to cover additional services provided between October 2025 and September 2026. By declaring an emergency, the bill allows the city to bypass standard legislative procedures and immediately approve payments for goods and services that would otherwise be blocked by a legal spending limit. This action ensures that the organization can continue its housing operations without interruption while the Council reviews the financial adjustments.
This bill authorizes the payment of $3.2 million to Strittmatter Metro, LLC for emergency snow removal services provided in Washington, D.C., during a severe winter storm in early 2026. The legislation formally approves the contract and its subsequent modifications, which were executed quickly to address an immediate public safety need when standard procurement processes would have been too slow. By passing this measure, the Council ensures that the company can be legally paid for the equipment and operators they deployed, as the amount exceeds the threshold for emergency contracts without prior legislative approval. The bill also explicitly states that this approval overrides certain standard procurement regulations to facilitate the rapid response to the weather emergency.
This bill retroactively approves a series of contract modifications with Vector Fleet Management, LLC to provide ongoing fleet management and maintenance services for the Metropolitan Police Department. The legislation authorizes a total spending increase of $8.5 million to cover the full one-year term of the contract, which was initially started using an incorrect legal document known as a letter contract. By passing this emergency measure, the Council ensures that the police department can continue receiving essential vehicle support and that the vendor is legally permitted to receive payment for services already provided. The bill is designed to correct administrative errors from the previous year and to allow the contract to proceed without interruption.
