B 26-0444 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025

The Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025 (B 26-0444) changes the Food Policy Council's reporting requirement from annual to triennial (every three years) for its food system assessment. It expands the Council's authority to evaluate food procurement practices across all District government agencies that spend over $62 million annually on food, including schools, jails, and shelters. The bill requires the Council to oversee improvements in institutional food quality, advise agencies on sustainable and nutritious procurement standards, and consolidate District-wide food purchasing data to track progress on local, sustainable, and nutritional goals. This legislation aligns District reporting with common state practices and gives the Council formal authority to address food access, urban agriculture, and food insecurity metrics already tracked in the Sustainable DC dashboard.

Bill status in committee 3 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Jul 2026

Council Passage

Jul 2026

Governor

Introduced Oct 22, 2025 Last action Jul 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Engrossment · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Food Policy Council's reporting schedule from an annual requirement to a triennial one to align with national standards, and significantly expands the Council's authority to evaluate and improve food procurement practices across all District agencies and contractors. The changes empower the Council to oversee food purchasing quality, ensure alignment with nutrition and sustainability goals, and develop standardized procurement templates for the entire District government.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from general food policy reporting to specifically include all District agencies and contractors that regularly purchase food or beverages, excluding only those serving vending machines or one-off catering events.

TIMELINE

Changed the Food Policy Council's reporting requirement from an annual report to a triennial report starting September 30, 2027.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'covered agency' to include any District agency or contractor that regularly procures food or beverages, with specific exclusions for vending machines and one-off catering.

REQUIREMENT

Added new duties for the Council to oversee food quality, advise agencies on contract development, collaborate with procurement offices, serve on evaluation panels, consolidate purchasing data, and develop standardized procurement templates.

Expanded the Council's existing oversight duties to explicitly include ensuring that food procured by covered agencies aligns with District requirements regarding nutrition, the local economy, and environmental sustainability.

Floor votes · Council Jul 14, 2026

How they voted

12–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 13

Jul 14, 2026

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1

90% 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

Jul 14, 2026

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0-1)

council

Jul 8, 2026

Legislature · Passed

Committee Mark-up of B26-0444 by the Health Committee

legislature

Oct 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Health

legislature

Oct 22, 2025

Introduced

B26-0444 Introduced by Councilmember Parker at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors