District of Columbia Bills

CER 26-0107, the DACOR Bacon House Bicentennial Recognition Resolution of 2025, is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the historical significance of the DACOR Bacon House in Washington, D.C., on its 200th anniversary (constructed in 1825). It commemorates the house’s legacy as a site of historical events, including hosting U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, diplomats, and the Russian ambassador, as well as its role as the headquarters for the DACOR organization since 1986. The resolution has no binding provisions or policy changes; it serves solely to honor the building’s contributions to American history and diplomacy. This is a symbolic recognition without direct impact on residents, legislation, or funding.

This resolution authorizes The Field School, Inc. (a private nonprofit school in Ward 3) to issue up to $25 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds. The funds will finance specific campus projects: building a 15,000-square-foot Innovation Center, renovating the Wonder Building and athletic fields, and improving parking at 2301 Foxhall Road NW. Crucially, the District of Columbia will not be liable for repayment - the bonds are non-recourse, meaning the school, not public funds, must repay them. This resolution directly affects The Field School’s ability to finance its campus improvements without using District tax revenue or credit.

This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $22 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to finance renovations, building improvements, and refinancing of existing debt for Richard Wright Public Charter School at 475 School St., SW. The bonds will be used directly by the school (the "Borrower") for facility upgrades, construction, and related costs, with the District having no financial liability or obligation to repay them. The resolution confirms the bonds are "without recourse to the District" and do not constitute a general obligation or pledge of the District's taxing power, as required by the Home Rule Act. The school, a 501(c)(3) charter school, will receive the bond proceeds as a loan from the District.

This resolution confirms Mayor Muriel Bowser's appointment of Rachel Pierre as Director of the District of Columbia Department of Human Services. It directly affects the Mayor's nominee and the Council's confirmation process for this executive position. The resolution formally approves her appointment under the Confirmation Act of 1978, requiring the Council to transmit the resolution to the nominee and Mayor upon adoption. This is a procedural step to finalize the appointment, not a policy change.

This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $15 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to refinance costs for the Early Childhood Academy Public Charter School. The funds will specifically cover the school’s facility at 885 Barnaby Street SE in Ward 8, including refinancing prior debt used for acquiring and renovating its 37,700-square-foot building, construction costs, and related expenses. The bonds are structured so the District bears no financial liability - proceeds will be loaned directly to the school, and the District won’t use its taxing power or credit. This resolution is procedural, approving the bond issuance under the Home Rule Act without creating new public obligations.

This resolution approves a five-year, $806 million contract with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. to provide health insurance coverage for District of Columbia employees, their dependents, and retirees under the D.C. Employees Health Benefits Program. The contract, requested by Mayor Bowser under emergency procedures, replaces the current health benefits provider without requiring a competitive bidding process. It directly affects all District government employees and retirees who receive health benefits through the program. The resolution requires immediate Council approval to take effect.

This emergency resolution (PR 26-0369) approves a $595.8 million, five-year contract with UnitedHealthcare to provide fully insured health benefits to District of Columbia employees, their dependents, and retirees. The contract replaces the current health benefits provider under the D.C. Employees Health Benefits Program. It requires immediate Council approval to take effect without standard legislative review periods. The resolution bypasses normal procedural timelines due to the "emergency" designation, as stated in the mayor's request.

This resolution declares an emergency to clarify the District's authority to enforce existing for-hire vehicle safety rules. It specifically ensures the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) can address illegal operators who bypass registration, insurance, and safety screening requirements. The resolution directly affects unlicensed operators providing ride services without proper company affiliation or vehicle markings, which pose safety risks to passengers and undermine legitimate businesses. It does not create new rules but confirms DFHV's ability to enforce current laws against illegal operations.

This resolution amends housing and building codes to adjust net zero energy standards for large residential and mixed-use projects receiving funding from the District's Housing Production Trust Fund. It removes requirements that previously applied through building permits, instead directing these standards to be enforced via the funding solicitation and award process. This change primarily affects developers and housing providers seeking District funding for new construction or major renovations, aiming to prevent delays in housing projects. The resolution also streamlines processes for the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) to implement energy improvements without extending project timelines. It takes immediate effect as an emergency measure.

This resolution declares an emergency to authorize the Chief Financial Officer to use $377,000 from the 2026 budget to forgive real property taxes, penalties, and fees for a specific property owned by Avanti Real Estate Services, LLC at 3421 14th Street, N.W. It bypasses standard legislative procedures to immediately release funds allocated under prior budget legislation (D.C. Act 26-148). The resolution directly affects Avanti Real Estate Services, LLC by relieving its tax burden on that single property. The funds are designated to support Avanti's stated mission of creating generational wealth through homeownership and employing District residents.

This resolution prevents a gap in the District of Columbia's fiscal authority by extending emergency budget support until Congress approves the permanent budget law. It addresses a timing conflict where the temporary Emergency Act (D.C. Act 26-146) expires December 2, 2025, before the Permanent Act (D.C. Act 26-148) becomes effective after congressional review. The resolution declares an emergency to maintain budget implementation continuity without altering the underlying budget policies. It directly affects the District’s fiscal operations by ensuring uninterrupted budget execution during congressional review.

This resolution fast-tracks approval of a $1.576 billion, five-year contract (CW130182) with Aetna Life Insurance Company & Aetna Health, Inc. to provide fully insured health benefits to District of Columbia employees, their dependents, and retirees under the D.C. Employees Health Benefits Program. It designates the contract approval as an "emergency" to bypass standard review processes and allow immediate implementation. The resolution requires only a single reading by the Council of the District of Columbia for adoption.