B 26-0122 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Proposed Contract No. DCCB-2025-F-0003 with Edelson PC Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Act of 2025

This emergency bill (B 26-0122) approves a $85 million contract with law firm Edelson PC to assist the District of Columbia Attorney General's office. The contract authorizes Edelson PC to investigate and potentially litigate against companies alleged to have violated laws regarding lead water pipe marketing, selling, and installation. The firm will only receive payment if the District secures monetary recovery (via settlement or judgment), with the $85 million representing the maximum possible payment over five years. This is a procedural authorization for an existing contract, not a new policy.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Council Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Signed Mar 26, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 5 edits

MODERATE

The document transitions from a formal letter and memorandum requesting approval of a contract to the actual enrolled bill text. The substantive content remains largely the same, approving a multiyear legal services contract with Edelson PC for lead water pipe litigation, but the formatting changes reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process from initial submission to final enrollment.

TECHNICAL

The document format changed from a letter and memorandum submission to the Council into the formal enrolled bill text, including standard legislative headers and signatures.

Section 2 was modified to add language stating the approval occurs 'notwithstanding the requirements of section 202 of the Procurement Practices Reform Act of 2010', clarifying the emergency nature of the approval.

The fiscal amount in Section 2 was changed from '$85,000,000.00' to '$85 million' for consistency with the letter's language.

Minor text corrections were made, such as changing 'lead water pipes' to 'violations of law related to past marketing, selling, and installation of lead water pipes' for clarity.

New signature lines were added for the Chairman of the Council and the Mayor to complete the enrollment process.

Floor votes · Council Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

12–0

Passed

Total votes 12

Mar 4, 2025

D Democratic10

10 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

Mar 4, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0)

council

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

legislature

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced

B26-0122 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors