Council of the District of Columbia

This bill (B 26-0174) amends District of Columbia consumer protection laws to strengthen enforcement and clarify procedures. It directly affects consumers, businesses, and enforcement agencies by adding new tools like mandatory fines for non-compliance with subpoenas, authorizing asset freezes in court actions, and requiring businesses to pay costs and fees for violations. Key provisions include clarifying that Federal Trade Commission precedents must favor consumers, prohibiting retaliation for complaints, and streamlining investigative processes through sworn interrogatories and flexible service methods. The bill aims to make enforcement more effective while ensuring businesses face clear consequences for unfair trade practices.

This bill temporarily allows certain retail and restaurant businesses in Washington, D.C., to refuse cash payments as a form of payment. It specifically applies to establishments with Class C or Class D licenses and restaurants that operate 24 hours a day or at least two days a week after 3:00 am. To implement this change, businesses must display clear, written notices on their doors or menus stating that cash is not accepted. The law includes a sunset provision, meaning it will automatically expire 225 days after it takes effect.

This bill (B 26-0224, "Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment (RESALE) Amendment Act of 2025") directly affects concertgoers, artists, and venues in Washington D.C. by capping secondary ticket prices at face value plus 10%, banning the sale of "speculative tickets" (e.g., selling tickets before they exist), and requiring resellers of 50+ tickets annually to register with the city, post a $10,000 bond, and disclose all pricing upfront. It also mandates clear seat information for secondary purchases, prohibits restricting ticket transfers without disclosure, and requires platforms to prevent bot-driven ticket buying. Violations carry civil penalties of $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat violations. The law aims to make ticket buying fairer by reducing price gouging and deceptive practices.

This bill establishes licensing and certification requirements for glaziers and glazing contractors in Washington D.C. It directly affects professionals who install and maintain architectural glass and metal systems in buildings, such as windows, curtain walls, and skylights. The key provision requires contractors to employ at least three licensed glaziers and comply with bonding and insurance standards set by the Board of Industrial Trades. The bill also adds two new positions on the Board to represent licensed glaziers and glazing contractors. This creates consistent oversight for a trade previously unregulated in the District, aligning it with other construction professions.

This bill modifies Washington D.C.'s price gouging laws to establish a seasonal pricing model for rental vehicles. It defines "normal average retail price" using prior-year pricing from the same week and month in the Washington Metropolitan Area (per U.S. Census definitions), effective for 2026 and later. The law also adds "public health emergency" as a trigger for price gouging prohibitions. These changes directly affect rental car companies operating in the D.C. metropolitan area and aim to protect consumers from excessive pricing during seasonal fluctuations.