This bill prohibits insurance companies in Washington, D.C., from considering the use of HIV prevention medication (PrEP) when making decisions about disability, life, or long-term care insurance. It directly affects people using PrEP - such as daily pills (Truvada, Descovy) or the injection (Apretude) - who might otherwise face higher premiums, denied coverage, or limited benefits. The key provision amends existing anti-discrimination law to ban insurers from using PrEP use as a factor in underwriting, renewing, or pricing these policies. This aims to remove barriers to PrEP uptake and reduce stigma, supporting D.C.'s goal to lower new HIV diagnoses to under 130 annually by 2030.
This bill waives all city fees for services related to the Capital Pride Parade, Festival, and Block Party, including permits, police and fire support, health inspections, and cleanup costs. It directly affects Capital Pride event organizers by reducing their administrative expenses. The key provision, added to D.C. Code §47-2826, requires the Mayor to waive these fees to maintain the event's free admission for attendees. This policy change ensures the festival remains accessible while supporting its significant economic impact on the District.
The Fair Taxation of Municipal Bonds Amendment Act of 2025 would maintain the tax exemption for interest earned on out-of-state municipal bonds purchased before January 1, 2025. This directly protects District of Columbia residents, particularly retirees on fixed incomes, who had relied on this exemption when making investment decisions. The bill amends the tax code to explicitly exclude interest from such pre-2025 bonds from taxable income calculations. This change prevents unexpected tax bills on bonds held under prior tax rules, aligning with similar approaches in other states like Utah.
The Industrial Revenue Bond Forward Commitment Program Amendment Act of 2025 removes a $850 million cap on the total value of industrial revenue bonds the District can issue and shortens application review times from 30 to 10 days. It also broadens the program to cover more types of development projects, including those authorized under the Home Rule Act. These changes aim to help businesses and developers in the District secure financing faster for industrial, commercial, and other eligible projects. The bill directly affects organizations seeking bond-funded development and streamlines the District's revenue bond approval process.
This bill creates a streamlined process for property owners to change their tax classification to residential when a building permit is issued for residential use. Owners must apply for the classification change with the Chief Financial Officer, providing documentation, and tax rates apply for the entire tax year if the application is submitted between October 1 and March 31, or only for the second half of the year if submitted between April 1 and September 30. If the property isn't used for residential purposes within three years (or by the date of a certificate of occupancy), the classification reverts, and owners must pay back taxes plus penalties. Property owners can appeal denied applications within 45 days.
The HIRE Amendment Act of 2025 creates a tax incentive program in Washington, D.C., for businesses that hire returning citizens (formerly incarcerated individuals) in full-time roles. It provides a $5,000 annual tax credit per employee for businesses that retain these workers for at least 90 days. The Department of Employment Services will manage the program, ensuring compliance and distributing credits. This law directly affects D.C. employers and over 2,000 returning citizens who reenter the city annually, aiming to reduce employment barriers and recidivism through financial support for hiring.
This bill waives property taxes for 20 years on qualifying housing developments at Washington Metro stations in the District. To qualify, developments must be part of a WMATA joint development agreement requiring at least half the project to be housing and 75% to be new construction or substantial rehabilitation. The exemption applies to properties currently generating no tax revenue for the District, aiming to unlock transit-oriented development at stations like Congress Heights and Deanwood. It takes effect January 1, 2026, to encourage mixed-use projects that increase housing density near transit hubs.
This bill increases the personal property tax exemption threshold for District of Columbia businesses from $225,000 to $325,000. It directly affects small businesses with tangible property (like equipment and furniture) valued below $325,000, removing the requirement to file the FP-31 tax return form. Businesses under the new threshold will no longer need to report property values or depreciation, reducing administrative burdens. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2026, aligning with inflation adjustments moving forward.
This bill amends Washington, D.C.'s Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program to strengthen certification standards. It requires businesses seeking CBE status to be "independently owned and operated" (meaning they control their own day-to-day operations without external business control), adds a 30-day reporting requirement for CBEs to notify the Department of Small and Local Business Development of significant changes (like ownership shifts or address changes), and clarifies that CBEs in joint ventures must perform work proportional to their ownership stake. The changes directly affect businesses applying for or holding CBE certification under the program, including minority-owned, veteran-owned, and locally based enterprises. These provisions aim to ensure program integrity by verifying business independence and updating compliance requirements.
The Automatic Retirement Savings Act of 2025 establishes a District-managed retirement savings program for private-sector employees in Washington, D.C., who lack employer-sponsored plans, and certain self-employed individuals. It requires automatic 3% wage deductions (with opt-out options) for eligible workers, managed by a new Retirement Savings Board, to build retirement savings. Accounts are portable across jobs since the District, not employers, manages them - addressing gaps for approximately 173,000 current workers without workplace retirement options.
The Proficient Procurement Amendment Act of 2025 would exempt District government agencies from certified business enterprise (CBE) requirements when purchasing vehicles or technology. This exemption applies if the goods aren’t reasonably available through CBEs at comparable price/performance, if direct purchases offer better benefits (like manufacturer warranties), or if required for compliance. Agencies must report these exempt purchases annually to the Office of Contracting and Procurement and the Council, split by contract value ($250,000 or less, and over). The change aims to reduce administrative delays and costs while maintaining oversight of taxpayer spending.
The Local News Funding Act of 2025 creates a system where District of Columbia registered voters receive five "news coupons" each to allocate online to local news outlets they support. Eligible outlets - such as newspapers, radio stations, podcasts, or digital platforms - must register with the Community Journalism Board, provide free local news, distinguish news from advertising, and disclose ownership. The program is funded by 0.1% of the District’s general fund budget (about $11.6 million annually), distributing grants based on voter allocations. The Community Journalism Board also administers the program and offers development grants for training and technical support to participating outlets.
