This is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) passed by the Council of the District of Columbia to honor Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. after his death in 2026. It formally recognizes his lifelong civil rights leadership, faith-based advocacy, founding of Operation PUSH, and service as a Shadow Senator for DC. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a symbolic tribute to his legacy. It does not directly affect any individuals or create new obligations.
This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0135) symbolically recognizes the Chinese community in Washington, D.C., and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for their cultural, social, and economic contributions to the city. It designates Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as "Chinese Lunar New Year 4724, Year of the Horse Day" in the District and honors the Association's sponsorship of the annual Lunar New Year parade. The resolution has no legal effect and serves only to acknowledge community efforts and cultural traditions.
The DC Young Adult Corps Act of 2026 establishes a paid service program for District residents aged 17-24 who have recently earned a high school equivalency credential or meet alternative eligibility criteria set by the Department of Employment Services (DOES). It creates 9-12 month, full-time placements (30-40 hours weekly) with host organizations like schools, nonprofits, or government agencies, requiring participants to be paid at or above the District’s minimum wage with labor protections. Key provisions include structured mentorship, a one-time completion award for successful participants, program oversight by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education, and a non-lapsing fund for sustainability. The bill mandates annual public reporting and independent evaluations to track outcomes in workforce development and community service.
This bill modifies the District of Columbia's subcontracting requirements for vendors bidding on health benefits contracts for District government employees and their families. It allows bids to be considered responsive even if a subcontracting plan (showing 35% allocation to small businesses) isn't submitted at bid time, as long as the plan is provided before the plan year begins. The change specifically applies to health benefits contracts, which have unique timing because their value depends on annual enrollment projections unknown until after the open enrollment period. The bill maintains the existing 35% subcontracting requirement but adjusts the submission timeline to align with enrollment cycles, with no expected fiscal impact.
This bill creates a one-year pilot program for young parents aged 16-24 in Washington D.C. who are custodial or non-custodial parents of children under 18. It provides up to 100 employment vouchers to subsidize 50% of market-rate wages (up to 40 hours weekly) for participating employers, requiring them to cover the remaining wages and provide standard employee benefits. Employers must commit to considering participants for permanent roles after the subsidy ends. The program targets a gap in existing youth employment services by directly supporting young parents' workforce entry and stability through wage subsidies and employer partnerships.
This bill amends existing District of Columbia energy laws to streamline how residents connect solar systems to the local power grid, aiming to reduce utility costs and accelerate clean energy adoption. It establishes clearer definitions for solar interconnection customers and small generator facilities, requires the Public Service Commission to maintain updated cost guides on Pepco's website, and creates an ombudsman role to help customers navigate approval processes and resolve delays. The legislation also permits residents to install smaller "balcony solar" systems without undergoing the same permitting requirements as larger rooftop installations, potentially offering monthly savings of $35 to $55 depending on location.
This bill requires DC Water to provide residential tenants with copies of their water bills and allows them to apply directly for utility assistance programs. It primarily affects low-income renters - especially Black households who disproportionately rent - who often face water disconnections because landlords, not tenants, are responsible for payments. Key provisions let tenants pay their share directly to DC Water, with those payments counted as rent reduction (reducing the amount tenants owe landlords). This aims to prevent service interruptions by making assistance programs more accessible to eligible tenants who previously couldn't enroll without paying overdue bills.
This bill prohibits electric and gas utilities from disconnecting service for vulnerable households during summer (May 15-September 15) and winter (November 1-February 29) months. It directly protects households with children under 18, seniors 65+, people with disabilities, pregnant individuals, or those receiving public assistance. Utilities must offer payment plans for eligible customers instead of requiring full payment to restore service, and limit reconnection fees. Additionally, utilities must report monthly data on unpaid bills and disconnections to the Public Service Commission.
This bill requires the District's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to create a system that automatically enrolls eligible low-income households in utility affordability programs using data from other agencies. It mandates that the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) share enrollment data from income-based programs like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid with DOEE - **only after households affirmatively consent** to the data sharing. Households automatically enrolled must receive clear notice about their enrollment, expected benefit dates, and amounts. The policy directly affects low-income residents who currently face high energy burdens (nearly 16% of income for some), streamlining access to existing utility assistance without requiring new applications.
This bill modernizes DC Water's billing and disconnection practices to protect tenants in rental properties, especially in master-metered buildings where a single meter serves the entire building. It requires DC Water to provide tenants with earlier, detailed notices about landlord payment delinquencies - including in their preferred language - and mandates monthly reports on disconnection actions. The bill also creates pathways for tenants to secure water service in their own name or seek alternative housing before disconnections occur. These changes aim to prevent tenants from losing critical water access due to landlords' unpaid bills while helping DC Water recover $36 million in outstanding debts.
The Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs Act of 2026 (B 26-0593) authorizes the Mayor to partner with ArrayRX, a multi-state prescription drug discount program, to create a citywide drug discount card program for all District residents. This program would provide access to lower-cost prescription drugs regardless of insurance status (public, private, or none), expanding beyond existing targeted laws like the Insulin Affordability Act. The key mechanism is a cooperative purchasing agreement that leverages collective buying power to secure deeper discounts than individual consumers could achieve. It directly affects all DC residents facing high drug costs, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for medications. The bill does not alter insurance coverage but creates a new access point through this partnership.
This bill creates a centralized Medicaid credentialing system managed by the District's Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), replacing the current process where each Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) independently credentials providers. It requires DHCF to develop a single application process by 2027, allowing providers credentialed through DHCF to serve all MCOs without additional MCO-specific requirements. The bill sets strict timelines: DHCF must notify providers of missing application information within 10 days and issue temporary credentials within 30 days of receiving a complete application. This directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors and clinics) and Medicaid patients by reducing delays in care access and administrative burdens.
