Councilmember Christina Henderson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a 15% sales tax on disposable wipes, including pre-moistened tissues and cloths marketed as flushable, while exempting bidets from sales tax. The revenue generated from the tax would be directed to DC Water to fund capital improvements and repairs to the city's sewer infrastructure. The legislation defines nonwoven disposable products as items designed for personal hygiene that are commonly used for flushing but degrade slowly in sewer systems. By taxing these products and incentivizing bidet use, the bill aims to reduce clogs and backups that damage shared sewer infrastructure. The changes apply to all sales of qualifying wipes within the District of Columbia starting October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Washington D.C.'s 2010 health insurance law to allow private insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to count specific social services toward their required medical care spending. It permits including evidence-based programs addressing food insecurity, reentry support for justice-involved individuals, and housing stability services in their medical loss ratio calculation. These services must aim to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for D.C. residents. The bill defines "social determinants of health" as community conditions affecting health, referencing CDC and CMS guidelines. It directly affects D.C. health insurers and managed care plans by expanding eligible expenses under existing insurance regulations.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThe 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.

Maddy summaryThe 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0128), not a law with enforceable provisions. It symbolically declares February 2026 as "Children’s Dental Health Month" in the District of Columbia. The resolution recognizes the importance of children’s oral health, highlights efforts by pediatric dentists and providers, and commends those working to promote prevention and access to care. It does not create new programs or alter existing policies - it serves as a formal acknowledgment of ongoing community health work.

Maddy summaryThe PACE Clarification Amendment Act of 2025 (B 26-0489) requires the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) to assess and rank *all* school facilities - including those previously modernized - using the prioritization criteria from the 2016 PACE Act. This ensures schools needing updates (like those renovated in the early 2000s) are not excluded from modernization planning. The bill also mandates that DCPS and historic preservation agencies create a shared inventory of schools with historic designations or eligibility, along with relevant preservation laws, to streamline future renovations. These changes aim to make facility modernization decisions more equitable and transparent for all DCPS schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Washington, D.C.'s rental housing regulations to better align with current temperature patterns. It requires landlords providing air conditioning to make it available from May 1 to October 1 (previously May 15-September 15) and heat from October 15 to April 15 (previously October 1-May 1). Landlords gain flexibility to switch between heating and cooling during a two-week window (April 15-May 1 for cooling, October 1-15 for heating). The bill also sets concrete temperature standards: indoor cooling must not exceed 78°F or 15°F below outdoor temperature, and heating must maintain at least 68°F in habitable spaces. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in D.C. rental properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily allows the Mayor of the District of Columbia to issue marriage licenses and authorize officiants when the Clerk of the Superior Court cannot issue licenses due to a federal government shutdown. It amends District code to replace references to "Clerk" with "Mayor or Clerk" in marriage licensing provisions, ensuring the Mayor can step in during shutdowns. The Mayor must create a consistent license form, maintain records, and transmit copies to the Clerk after the shutdown ends. The law expires 225 days after taking effect, directly affecting individuals seeking weddings and officiants during federal shutdowns.