B 26-0119 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Official Sports Capital of the United States Designation Act of 2025

This bill designates the District of Columbia as the "Official Sports Capital of the United States" and requires the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (Events DC) to create a plan promoting DC as the nation's premier sports destination. The plan must include attracting major events, supporting youth sports programs, partnering with teams, and marketing DC's sports infrastructure. It directly affects Events DC (which must submit a 120-day implementation report) and DC's sports venues, teams, and community programs. The bill is symbolic - no new funding or regulations are created - but aims to enhance DC's national recognition as a sports hub, building on existing venues like Nationals Park and events like the NBA All-Star Game.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Jul 2025

Council Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

Dec 2025

Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Signed Dec 19, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and signed into law, changing the responsible agency from 'Events DC' to the 'Washington Convention and Sports Authority' (referred to as 'the Authority'). The text was also updated to reflect the final enrolled version, including specific dates for submission and the official enactment process.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's implementation changed by assigning the responsibility to develop the sports promotion plan to the Washington Convention and Sports Authority instead of Events DC.

REQUIREMENT

The entity required to develop the sports promotion plan was changed from 'Events DC' to 'the Authority' (Washington Convention and Sports Authority).

TIMELINE

The deadline for submitting the plan was updated to 'no later than 120 days after the effective date of the Official Sports Capital of the United States Designation Amendment Act of 2025, passed on 2nd reading on October 7, 2025'.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated to reflect the final enrolled version, including the addition of signature lines for the Council Chairman and Mayor, and the inclusion of the standard fiscal impact statement approval clause.

Floor votes · Council Oct 7, 2025

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Oct 7, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 7, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Jul 11, 2025

Legislature · Passed

Committee Mark-up of B26-0119 by the Business and Economic Development Committee

legislature

Feb 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Business and Economic Development

legislature

Feb 6, 2025

Introduced

B26-0119 Introduced by Councilmember McDuffie at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors