B 26-0721 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Language Access Rulemaking Authority Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

This bill amends the Language Access Act of 2004 to grant the Mayor of Washington, D.C. the authority to issue rules that help agencies implement the law's requirements for language access. The legislation allows the Mayor to create regulations ensuring that government services are accessible to residents with limited English proficiency, such as by mandating translation services for documents used by at least 3% of the population served. The bill is an emergency measure that will remain in effect for no longer than 90 days after the Mayor approves it. The Office of Human Rights will continue to oversee compliance, but this change specifically empowers the Mayor to define how agencies must meet their legal obligations regarding language assistance.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2026

Committee Review

Jul 2026

Council Passage

Jul 2026

Signed into Law

Aug 2026

Introduced Jul 1, 2026 Signed Aug 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 3 edits

MINOR

The document format changed from a Mayor's letter introducing a draft bill to the official enrolled text of the legislation itself. The substantive policy content, including the emergency 90-day timeline, the specific legal authority granted to the Mayor, and the fiscal impact statement, remains identical between the two versions.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability are unchanged; it still amends the Language Access Act of 2004 to authorize the Mayor to issue rules.

TECHNICAL

The document structure was converted from a cover letter and draft bill presentation into the formal enrolled original text of the act.

The fiscal impact statement section was reorganized to appear as a formal statutory section (Sec. 4) rather than within a separate memorandum.

The background and financial plan sections were removed from the final text, as these are explanatory materials not included in the enacted law.

Floor votes · Council Jul 14, 2026

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Jul 14, 2026

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

Jul 14, 2026

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Jul 14, 2026

Committee

Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Public Works and Operations

legislature

Jul 1, 2026

Introduced

B26-0721 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors