Councilmember Matt Frumin

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the timeline for So Others Might Eat (SOME) to certify its 23-unit affordable housing property at 2607 Connecticut Avenue NW as tax-exempt under the Nonprofit Workforce Housing Properties Real Property Tax Exemption Act of 2019. It changes the required certification period from 12 to 36 months after property acquisition and forgives/repays real property taxes paid since January 2023 if the property qualifies. The legislation directly affects the specific housing building owned by 2607 Connecticut LLC, which serves low-income tenants and has experienced slower lease-up than anticipated. The policy change ensures the Council's intended tax exemption aligns with the nonprofit's housing operations, allowing funds to stay focused on housing services rather than tax payments.

Maddy summaryThis 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).

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the District of Columbia's Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department for their service during and after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It formally recognizes the bravery of local first responders who participated in rescue efforts and acknowledges the long-term health risks faced by emergency workers nationwide. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves to officially name and commemorate the dedication of these public servants on the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to officially rename 48th Place, NW, in Ward 3 to "William 'Spence' Spencer, IV Way" to honor his contributions to the local community and his work in international human rights. The legislation directly affects the specific street segment between MacArthur Boulevard and V Street by changing its official designation in city records. It relies on existing street naming laws to symbolically recognize Mr. Spencer's legacy as a resident, former community association leader, and foreign service officer. Once enacted, the change would appear on maps and official documents but involves no new funding or operational changes.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution declares May 2026 as "Old People Are Cool Month" in the District of Columbia to honor the Old People Are Cool project and celebrate the District's senior population. The bill recognizes the project's mission to combat ageism and promote positive perceptions of older adults through community events and social media initiatives. It also acknowledges healthcare workers who care for seniors and aligns with the national Older Americans Month observance. The resolution has no operational requirements or funding provisions, serving solely as a symbolic declaration of support for seniors and the related project.

Maddy summaryThe Public Benefits Security Amendment Act of 2025 requires the District of Columbia's Department of Human Services (DHS) to replace vulnerable magnetic stripe EBT cards with secure microchipped cards by October 1, 2027, to prevent benefit theft. It directly affects SNAP (food assistance) and TANF (cash assistance) recipients, who currently lose millions annually to card skimming. The bill mandates DHS to restore stolen benefits after the card transition, ensuring residents don’t face food insecurity while waiting for assistance to be reinstated. This change aligns with federal recommendations and practices in states like California and Maryland, which have adopted similar chip-based security.

Maddy summaryThe Child Support Improvement Amendment Act of 2026 would require the District of Columbia to direct all child support payments collected on behalf of families receiving or who previously received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) directly to those families, rather than retaining a portion for government costs. It also changes the timeline for collecting unpaid child support, ending enforcement when the youngest child on the order turns 18 plus a fixed post-emancipation period, instead of allowing indefinite collection. These changes ensure families receive the full amount of child support owed, which research shows improves household stability and child well-being. The bill modernizes the system to align with federal options and prioritize support for vulnerable children and parents.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes designating the Connecticut Avenue Bridge over Klingle Valley (between Devonshire Place NW and Macomb Street NW) as the "Judith E. Heumann Memorial Bridge." It honors Judith E. Heumann, a disability rights pioneer who lived in Cleveland Park, led the 1977 504 Sit-in, and helped shape the Americans With Disabilities Act. The bill is procedural - requiring only an official name change for the existing bridge - without creating new policies or funding. It directly affects the public by renaming a local landmark to recognize Heumann's legacy. The designation would take effect after standard legislative approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the District of Columbia's Flexible Rent Subsidy Pilot Program (DC Flex) permanent, replacing its temporary authorization set to expire in 2026. It provides eligible homeless or at-risk DC residents with a fixed annual subsidy - $9,600 for families and $8,280 for individuals (before October 2027), with higher amounts after that - to cover partial rent payments. The subsidy is deposited into a dedicated escrow account, which participants can only use for rent, not withdrawn as cash. Unlike housing vouchers that cover full rent, DC Flex offers "shallow" partial rent assistance, aiming to prevent homelessness while providing stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption that previously allowed rental units occupied by tenants using tenant-based subsidies (like housing vouchers) to be excluded from rent stabilization rules. It requires housing providers to notify subsidy administrators (e.g., HUD or DC housing agencies) before raising rents, and prohibits agreements that waive rent stabilization requirements. Subsidy administrators gain the right to challenge inappropriate rent increases and cannot deny reasonable increases that comply with the program. These changes directly affect tenants in subsidized housing, housing providers, and subsidy administrators, ensuring rent hikes for these units follow District rent stabilization rules.