This bill, titled the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026, proposes a budget plan for the District of Columbia government to fund city services and operations for the upcoming fiscal year. The legislation directly affects all DC residents by allocating funds to public education, public safety, healthcare access, and economic development programs. Key provisions include increasing per-student funding for schools, supporting police and fire department resources, expanding health benefits for low-income residents, and reducing business fees to encourage local economic growth. The budget aims to address current economic challenges such as slower population growth and federal job losses while maintaining essential city services.
This bill updates District of Columbia education laws to focus on overall attendance patterns rather than just unexcused absences. It requires schools to track and report chronic absenteeism (frequent missed days) and attendance improvements after student support team referrals, replacing previous "unexcused absence" language. Key changes include moving school census deadlines from November 1 to December 15, adding chronic absenteeism metrics to reporting, and updating school enrollment and charter school references. These adjustments directly affect DC Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools, and education research partnerships that collect attendance data.
This resolution designates the District of Columbia Department of Corrections as the official agency responsible for providing free special education services to eligible incarcerated individuals aged 18 and older. It ensures that these individuals, who already have identified disabilities or individualized education plans, continue to receive required support without interruption after a previous contract with Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools expired. The bill authorizes the Department of Corrections to contract with the charter school to deliver these services during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. This emergency measure is intended to maintain compliance with federal and local education laws while a permanent version of the legislation undergoes congressional review.
This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to approve four specific modifications to an existing contract with All Pro All Services for school transportation. The legislation increases the total not-to-exceed amount for the contract from approximately $1.6 million to nearly $3.9 million to cover additional costs incurred in 2026. By passing this measure, the Council allows the Child and Family Services Agency to pay the vendor for transportation services provided during the current school year. The bill is designated as an emergency measure because the contract value increased by more than $1 million within a single year, requiring immediate legislative approval to continue vital student transport.
This resolution authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $30.5 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to help St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School fund and refinance its school facilities. The funds will specifically support improvements at the school's existing campuses and the construction of a new 33,000-square-foot middle school building. The legislation ensures that the District has no financial liability for these bonds, meaning the school itself is responsible for repaying the debt.
This resolution authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $17 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to help Harmony DC Public Charter Schools fund a school project. The funds will be used to acquire, renovate, and equip a 33,774-square-foot facility at 2917 8th Street NE, as well as cover related costs like interest and issuance fees. The bonds are structured so that the District has no financial liability or obligation to repay them, meaning the school itself is responsible for the debt. This measure allows the school to finance its development without creating a general debt for the city.
This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $375 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to help PRG Wonder Plaza Properties Inc. finance a major redevelopment project at Howard University. The funds will be used to purchase a 1.59-acre site, renovate an existing building into a mixed-use facility with student housing, a wellness center, and retail space, and refinance previous development costs. The resolution explicitly states that these bonds are not backed by the District's general tax revenue or credit, meaning the city has no financial obligation if the project fails.
This resolution authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $460 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to assist Provident Group - Bison Properties Inc. with three main financial activities. The funds will be used to pay off three existing bond series from 2022, purchase a long-term lease for the Mary M. Bethune Annex student dormitory at Howard University, and cover maintenance and safety upgrades for several student housing buildings. The legislation explicitly states that these bonds are not backed by the District's general funds or tax power, meaning the city has no financial liability if the project fails.
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 legislative bill, titled the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026, is a formal submission by Mayor Muriel Bowser to the Council of the District of Columbia proposing a new budget plan called Grow DC. The resolution outlines a financial plan designed to address current economic challenges such as slower population growth, remote work trends, and federal job losses, while maintaining funding for essential services like education, public safety, healthcare, and homelessness prevention. Key provisions include increasing per-student funding, investing in public school facilities and higher education support, providing resources for police and fire departments, and offering incentives to stimulate the local economy and housing development. The bill directly affects the approximately 700,000 residents of Washington, DC, by detailing how city funds will be allocated to support schools, public safety agencies, healthcare programs, and small businesses in the upcoming fiscal year.
