The Tax Sale Equity Amendment Act of 2026 updates the District of Columbia's tax sale laws to modernize procedures and strengthen protections for property owners. It expands the types of taxes that can be collected through tax sales and introduces a cost-of-living adjustment for attorney fees to ensure they keep pace with inflation. The bill also clarifies the rules for redeeming property after a tax sale and establishes a 90-day window for owners to claim their equity or make required payments. Additionally, it adjusts the amount of additional fees payable to the Recorder of Deeds and updates the list of expenses that can be claimed if a foreclosure judgment is reopened. These changes aim to create a fairer and more transparent process for both property owners and tax sale purchasers.
This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to join the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, a national agreement designed to simplify the process for dentists and dental hygienists to practice across state lines. By joining the Compact, the District will allow licensed professionals to obtain expedited "compact licenses" to work in other member states and will gain access to a shared database of disciplinary actions and ongoing investigations. The legislation establishes a commission made up of dental board representatives to oversee the program and clarifies that the District retains the authority to take disciplinary action against licensees based on information shared through this network. Additionally, the bill defines specific terms related to military spouses, criminal convictions, and professional misconduct to ensure consistent standards are applied when sharing data between states.
The Meals Tax Relief Amendment Act of 2026 reduces the sales tax on restaurant meals in Washington, D.C., to align it with the general sales tax rate. This change directly affects residents, visitors, and local dining establishments by lowering the tax from 10 percent to 6 percent through September 30, 2027, and then to 7 percent starting October 1, 2027. The bill achieves this by adjusting the specific tax rate applied to food and drinks prepared for immediate consumption while leaving other taxes unchanged. Once enacted, the legislation will take effect after approval by the Mayor and a mandatory 30-day congressional review period.
This bill officially closes the unused section of 35th Street N.W. in Ward 2, where no buildings or improvements currently exist. By declaring this area unnecessary for street purposes, the legislation transfers ownership of the land to the adjacent property owners, Squares 1178 and 1179, as detailed on a filed survey map. The act requires the Council to send copies of the law to the District's Office of the Surveyor and the Office of the Recorder of Deeds to finalize the title transfer. Once approved and reviewed by Congress, the closure will legally remove this stretch of road from public use.
This bill modifies the District of Columbia's property tax system by switching from biannual to quarterly payments and updating how land values are assessed. The quarterly payment change aims to improve the city's cash flow by aligning revenue collection more closely with when expenses are due. Additionally, the legislation requires future property assessments to separately value the land itself from any buildings or structures on it, ensuring that tax rates applied to land remain consistent regardless of improvements. These adjustments are designed to create a more stable revenue stream and lay the groundwork for future tax reforms without currently raising tax rates.
This bill modifies how civil lawsuits are handled when bars or liquor stores serve alcohol to minors or intoxicated individuals. It directly affects nightlife establishments and the people who sue them by capping non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, at $500,000, with an automatic increase of $50,000 every ten years starting in 2037. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Insurance to study whether mandating minimum liquor liability insurance would lower insurance costs for these businesses. The analysis must compare current costs with how other states handle similar insurance requirements.
This bill designates the District of Columbia as the nation's "Tech for Good Capital" and creates a new tax incentive program for technology companies that develop solutions for public-interest challenges. To qualify for a real property tax abatement, these companies must be based in the District and primarily focused on areas such as civic engagement, public health, climate resilience, and education. The legislation also establishes a working group to create a marketing strategy and authorizes the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to support innovation clusters aimed at strengthening the local economy.
This bill temporarily extends the deadline for the Prearrest Diversion Task Force to submit its initial recommendations on how to handle certain misdemeanor offenses and specific groups of people. Originally set for June 2025, the new deadline is moved to July 2026, allowing the task force more time to study and propose alternatives to arrest for eligible individuals. The legislation also includes a separate provision that permits legal notices regarding probate matters, such as requests for formal probate or appointments of representatives, to be published in local newspapers. These changes are temporary and will expire 225 days after the bill takes effect.
This temporary bill updates the rules for medical cannabis in Washington, D.C., by extending the validity of existing conditional licenses for one year and clarifying how unlicensed businesses are defined and enforced. It specifically expands the definition of unlicensed establishments to include any business selling Schedule I substances, such as heroin or LSD, and sets a clear start date of April 1, 2025, for enforcement actions against these unlicensed operations. The legislation also adjusts licensing requirements by allowing applicants to use zoning certificates instead of occupancy certificates, modifies distance rules for new shops near schools and parks, and permits summary closures to continue as long as an immediate public danger exists. Additionally, it grants enforcement authorities the power to take action against licensed businesses if they engage in specific unlawful activities.
This bill temporarily modifies the District of Columbia's green building laws to provide exemptions from strict net-zero energy standards for specific projects. It directly affects new construction, additions, and alterations by allowing temporary buildings, small additions under 10,000 square feet, and facilities like police stations, fire stations, and swimming pools to bypass certain energy requirements. The legislation also clarifies legal definitions for terms such as "aquatic center" and "temporary building" to ensure consistent application of these rules. Additionally, it grants a grace period for projects that submitted permits before October 1, 2024, to comply with updated regulations once final rules are established.
This bill temporarily requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide free public education to young adults with disabilities who are in its custody. Specifically, it mandates that individuals aged 18 through the end of their eligibility for special education services receive instruction under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The legislation achieves this by adding new language to existing correctional codes, ensuring that secure facilities offer appropriate educational opportunities to this specific population. The provision is set to expire 225 days after the bill takes effect, making it a short-term measure rather than a permanent change.
This bill temporarily clarifies the legal definition of a private vehicle-for-hire operator in Washington, D.C., to include individuals who use a company's digital dispatch system to transport passengers. It directly affects drivers who operate their own vehicles through ride-sharing platforms by formally recognizing them under existing for-hire vehicle laws. The change is set to take effect on March 1, 2024, and will remain in force for 225 days after that date.
