District of Columbia Bills

This bill approves three contract modifications (M0007, M0008, and M0009) to an existing agreement with Keefe Commissary Network, LLC for inmate commissary services in the District of Columbia's Department of Corrections. It authorizes an increased payment amount of up to $2 million for option year two of the contract, reflecting a $600,000 increase due to a population increase in correctional facilities. The modifications cover the provision of food, personal care items, clothing, and other goods to incarcerated individuals. As a procedural contract approval, this bill does not create new policy but ensures funding for existing commissary services.

This bill amends the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016 and the Insurance Trade and Economic Development Amendment Act of 2000 to prevent private disability insurers from reducing short-term disability benefits based on District of Columbia paid leave benefits. It directly affects DC residents who receive short-term disability insurance through private policies, ensuring they cannot have their disability benefits reduced if they also qualify for DC's paid leave program. The key provision prohibits insurers from offsetting or reducing benefits "regardless of the jurisdiction" where the insurance policy was issued, making this rule enforceable under DC insurance law. This clarifies existing protections and prevents insurers from avoiding DC's benefit standards by citing out-of-jurisdiction policies. The bill is an emergency measure with a 90-day effective period.

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0127) formally honors Nettie Pearl Drayton Hailes, a civil rights activist, community leader, and longtime resident of Washington, D.C., who passed away in January 2026. It recognizes her lifetime work as a marcher in the 1963 March on Washington, leader in the NAACP and National Council of Negro Women, advocate for seniors, and supporter of racial justice and women's empowerment. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely commemorative, with no new laws, funding, or obligations created. It serves as a symbolic tribute to her legacy, citing her roles as a church leader, mentor, realtor, and advocate for affordable senior housing.

This bill expands Washington D.C.'s urban agriculture programs by redefining "crops" to include non-food horticultural products like flowers and decorative plants, alongside traditional produce. It requires all crops grown under these programs to use methods like raised beds or hydroponics (with minimal soil contact), replacing the previous option to grow directly in site soil. The bill clarifies that "urban farms" must be managed by formal entities (e.g., organizations, nonprofits) rather than individuals, and updates definitions across tax credit and land lease programs to align with these changes. These adjustments aim to broaden participation in urban farming while addressing soil contamination concerns.

This is a procedural confirmation resolution, not a substantive legislative bill. It formally asks the Council of the District of Columbia to confirm Mayor Bowser's reappointment of Patrick Williams as an architect member of the Historic Preservation Review Board for a term ending July 21, 2028. The resolution cites the relevant legal authority (Historic Landmark and Historic Protection Act of 1978) and includes Williams' professional background as an architect. It does not create new policy or affect residents or businesses beyond the confirmation process itself.

This resolution confirms the reappointment of Matthew Bell as an architect member of the Historic Preservation Review Board for a term ending July 21, 2028. It directly affects Mr. Bell, who has been nominated for this specific board position established under the Historic Landmark and Historic Protection Act. The resolution follows standard procedural steps for board confirmations in the District of Columbia, requiring Council approval to finalize his appointment. This is a routine confirmation process, not a new policy or substantive legislative change.

This bill makes several temporary changes to District laws. It shifts fare evasion citation adjudication to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (affecting public transit users), allows Metropolitan Police recruits to count up to 20 training credits toward their education requirement, and updates criminal code definitions (like broadening theft thresholds to include property "of any value" and adding waste disposal categories). It also creates exceptions to pretrial detention for robbery without injury and second-degree burglary. These changes apply to District residents, police applicants, and individuals facing specific criminal charges.

This bill temporarily requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide special education services (under IDEA and DC law) to young adults with disabilities aged 18-21 who are held in its secure facilities during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. It amends two existing laws to add this obligation as a new duty for the Corrections Department during these specific school terms. The requirement expires 225 days after the bill takes effect, making it a short-term measure.

This bill is a procedural resolution appointing Dr. Maria J. Donoghue Velleca to fill a vacancy on the District of Columbia Judicial Disabilities and Tenure Commission. It replaces Dr. Patrick Jackson as a nonlawyer member for the remainder of an unexpired 6-year term ending May 5, 2029. The resolution formally names Dr. Velleca (a Ward 2 resident and Georgetown University professor) and directs the Council to transmit the appointment to relevant parties. As a purely administrative appointment resolution, it does not create new policy or affect legislation.

This bill temporarily amends the Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 to set standard curfew hours from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily and expand the curfew to apply to all juveniles under 18 (previously under 17). It allows the Mayor to temporarily extend curfew hours beyond standard times for public safety, and the Chief of Police to designate specific zones with extended curfew hours, both limited to 4 consecutive days (with possible 30-day total extensions). Police must issue at least one verbal warning before arrest and provide time to disperse, with strict limits on when extensions can begin (no earlier than 8 p.m.) or end (no later than 6 a.m.). The bill directly affects juveniles aged 17 and under in Washington, D.C., during temporary curfew extensions.

This bill provides temporary tax relief for Avanti Real Estate Services, LLC by authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to forgive up to $377,000 in real property taxes, penalties, and fees for a specific property at 3421 14th Street, N.W. (Lot 123, Square 2836) in Ward 1. The relief applies only if the property is occupied by Avanti and used for its stated purposes: providing real estate services, promoting homeownership, employing District residents, and offering industry training. The tax relief is temporary, expiring 225 days after enactment, and cancels any pending tax sales for the property. This is a targeted, one-time adjustment for a specific property, not a new tax policy.