PR 26-0684 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

DC Water and Sewer Authority Billing and Disconnection Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

This resolution declares an emergency to make permanent changes to laws governing the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) regarding billing, late fees, and service disconnections. It clarifies that DC Water has the authority to charge late fees on unpaid water bills, ensuring these fees are treated the same as those for sewer services. The bill also requires DC Water to submit monthly reports to city officials and advocates about when and why water service is being cut off. Additionally, it updates rules to improve notice requirements for building occupants before a disconnection occurs. These measures aim to provide greater transparency and legal stability for residents facing potential water shutoffs.
Tags: Emergency Management
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2026
Committee Review
Council Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced May 4, 2026 Signed May 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 4 edits
MODERATE
The document changed from a draft bill introduction to an enrolled, final version. The primary substantive change is the addition of a new section (Section 3) that formally declares the bill's circumstances as an emergency, allowing it to pass with a single reading. The text of the resolution and the background facts regarding DC Water's billing authority and disconnection notices remained substantively unchanged, though some dates and section numbers were updated to reflect the final enactment.
TIMELINE

Added Section 3 to formally declare the bill's circumstances as an emergency, enabling adoption after a single reading.

Adjusted the date of the Council meeting from an unspecified introduction date to May 5, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill number to 26-399 and changed the document title from 'Proposed Resolution' to 'Enrolled Original' to indicate final passage.

Corrected the date of the referenced emergency act from June 14, 2025, to July 14, 2025, in the background narrative.

Floor votes · Council May 5, 2026

How they voted

13–0
Passed
Total votes 13
May 5, 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
6
Key actions
1
Committee
0
May 5, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (13-0)
council
May 4, 2026
Introduced
PR26-0684 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Charles Allen
Charles Allen
DDemocratic
DC
Ward 6