District of Columbia Bills

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0114) formally recognizes the Washington School for Girls' campus expansion at D.C.'s Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), scheduled for a December 9, 2025 ribbon-cutting. It celebrates the $25 million, 33,000-square-foot facility - featuring expanded classrooms, labs, and outdoor learning spaces - as a milestone for the school serving girls in grades 3-8 from underserved communities. The resolution has no binding effect, as it only expresses the Council's endorsement of the expansion's significance for educational equity and community development.

This bill designates the District of Columbia as the "Official Sports Capital of the United States" and requires the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (Events DC) to create a plan promoting DC as the nation's premier sports destination. The plan must include attracting major events, supporting youth sports programs, partnering with teams, and marketing DC's sports infrastructure. It directly affects Events DC (which must submit a 120-day implementation report) and DC's sports venues, teams, and community programs. The bill is symbolic - no new funding or regulations are created - but aims to enhance DC's national recognition as a sports hub, building on existing venues like Nationals Park and events like the NBA All-Star Game.

This bill temporarily amends two District of Columbia laws to expand the immunization guidelines healthcare providers can follow. It replaces references to "CDC guidelines" with "CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) or a competent medical/public health organization designated by the DC Health Director." This change directly affects healthcare providers (like clinics and hospitals) and minor patients, allowing them to use approved guidelines from organizations beyond CDC, as designated by the Health Director. The amendment expires 225 days after enactment, making it a temporary adjustment to vaccination protocols.

This bill temporarily authorizes the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to issue a grant in Fiscal Years 2025 or 2026 to the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, Inc. The grant is specifically for redeveloping the African American Civil War Museum located at 1925 Vermont Avenue, N.W. It amends existing law to bypass standard grant procedures for this single project, with the authority expiring 225 days after the bill takes effect. The bill directly affects the Foundation as the grant recipient and the Deputy Mayor as the grant issuer.

This bill extends the Streatery Program (which allows restaurants to operate outdoor seating) through December 31, 2025, and adjusts fee deadlines for licensees. It requires most businesses to pay annual fees by April 1, 2025, while certain cannabis retailers (classes C/T, D/T, C/N, D/N, or B) must pay by September 30, 2025. The bill also clarifies medical cannabis store location rules near schools: existing license holders who applied before October 1, 2024, may operate within 300 feet of schools (instead of the usual 400 feet), with specific exceptions for applications during a defined 90-day period. These changes directly affect restaurants using streatery permits and medical cannabis retailers seeking location approvals.

The Fiscal Year 2025 Revised Local Budget Temporary Act of 2025 is a temporary budget measure for the District of Columbia's 2025 fiscal year. It addresses a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall over four years, driven by federal job losses and reduced economic activity. The bill adjusts spending to balance the budget while maintaining critical services like public safety, schools, and infrastructure. It directly affects city government operations and funding allocations for residents and essential city programs.

This ceremonial resolution formally recognizes Labyrinth Games and Puzzles on its 15th anniversary as a community-focused business in Capitol Hill. It honors the store’s retail offerings, community events (like Educator Nights and used game sales raising over $15,000 annually for schools), and its role as a gathering space, citing its 2024 "Retailer of the Year" award and other local recognitions. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Council’s appreciation for the business’s contributions to the Eastern Market small business community.

This ceremonial resolution honors Reverend Graylan Hagler for his decades of activism and ministry, specifically recognizing his 30-year service as Senior Minister at Plymouth Congregational UCC in Washington, D.C., and his work on racial, economic, and social justice. It formally acknowledges his lifelong commitment to causes like anti-apartheid efforts, worker rights, affordable housing, and interfaith advocacy. The resolution has no policy impact - it is a symbolic gesture of recognition with no direct effect on residents or legislation. It is intended to celebrate his legacy as a moral leader in the District.

This is a procedural confirmation resolution, not a policy bill. It formally confirms Mayor Muriel Bowser's appointment of Trey Sherard to a new seat on the District Waterways Advisory Commission, established under D.C. Law 24-336 (2022). Sherard, a Ward 7 resident with 13 years of environmental work with Anacostia Riverkeeper, will serve until April 19, 2029. The resolution requires no policy changes - it simply approves his appointment to the existing commission.

This resolution confirms Mayor Bowser's appointment of Diane C. Groomes to a new seat on the District Waterways Advisory Commission. Groomes, a retired Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief with public safety expertise, will serve as a public safety representative for an initial term ending April 19, 2026, and a subsequent term ending April 19, 2030. The resolution is procedural - it formalizes the mayor's appointment under the Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Act of 2022 - but does not create new policies or affect public law. It directly affects the composition of the advisory commission, which advises on waterways management.

This resolution confirms the Mayor's appointment of Dr. Thomas Skinner to the District Waterways Advisory Commission, a body established by the 2022 Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Act. Dr. Skinner, a Ward 6 resident and real estate developer with experience in economic development, is nominated to fill a new seat on the Commission for an initial term ending April 19, 2026, and a subsequent term ending April 19, 2030. The Council of the District of Columbia must approve this confirmation to finalize the appointment.