PR 26-0210 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Fiscal Year 2026 Local Budget Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution declares a fiscal emergency for the District of Columbia's Fiscal Year 2026 budget due to a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall over four years, driven by federal policy impacts and estimated job losses. It directly affects all DC residents and city services by enabling the "Grow DC" budget plan, which reallocates funds to support economic growth (e.g., $24 million for a tech fund, $171 million for arena improvements), reduces certain taxes (like lowering the Universal Paid Leave tax), and "rightsizes" spending in health services and operations. Key mechanisms include prioritizing investments in tourism, tech, and downtown revitalization while pausing specific regulations like the Building Energy Performance Standard. The resolution is part of a broader budget package, not a standalone law, and focuses on addressing immediate revenue shortfalls through strategic spending adjustments.
Sub-Topics: Revenue
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Council Passage
Jul 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced May 27, 2025 Signed Jul 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 4 edits
MODERATE
The document has been transformed from a budget submission letter to the DC Council into an official enrolled resolution declaring a budget emergency. This change converts the document from a policy proposal into an actionable legislative measure that allows the District to operate with an emergency budget before the full budget is approved through normal congressional review.
Scope change
The document's scope changed from a budget submission letter to a formal emergency resolution that authorizes immediate implementation of budget measures while awaiting final congressional approval.
SCOPE

Removed the budget submission letter format including the letterhead, recipient information, and introductory text addressed to Chairman Mendelson.

TIMELINE

Added emergency declaration provisions that allow the Fiscal Year 2026 Local Budget Emergency Act of 2025 to take effect immediately before the full budget receives congressional review.

REQUIREMENT

Added formal resolution language establishing the emergency circumstances and specifying that the budget must be effective prior to October 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Changed document type from a budget submission letter to an enrolled resolution with bill number 26-185 and formal council procedures.

Floor votes · Council Jul 28, 2025

How they voted

12–0
Passed
Total votes 12
Jul 28, 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
7
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Jul 28, 2025
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (12-0)
council
Jun 3, 2025
Committee
Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee of the Whole
legislature
May 27, 2025
Introduced
PR26-0210 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Phil Mendelson
Phil Mendelson
DDemocratic
DC
Chairman