Councilmember Robert White

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution officially designates April 2026 as Second Chance Month in the District of Columbia to honor returning citizens and their contributions to the community. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of the resilience and dignity of individuals reintegrating after incarceration. It highlights existing District policies and programs that support reentry, such as employment access and housing assistance initiatives. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the challenges facing returning citizens and celebrate ongoing efforts to promote successful community reintegration.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the CLEAN Amendment Act of 2026, would prevent the District of Columbia from issuing new licenses or permits to individuals or businesses that owe $1,000 or more in unpaid fines from building code violations. The law directly affects applicants for various permits by adding unpaid building fines to the list of financial obligations that can block licensing. Under the proposed changes, the Department of Buildings would be unable to process a license application if the applicant has outstanding penalties under the Civil Infractions Act. This measure aims to ensure that those who fail to pay for past building violations cannot obtain new permits until their debts are settled.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that properties participating in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program are exempt from Washington, D.C.'s rent stabilization rules under the Rental Housing Act of 1985. It directly affects approximately 100 LIHTC-assisted properties housing over 11,000 affordable units, which faced uncertainty after a court ruling threatened to subject them to rent stabilization. The key provision amends the law to explicitly include LIHTC properties in the existing exemption for federally or publicly subsidized housing. This change ensures these properties remain financially viable for providers while preserving affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. The bill restores the longstanding interpretation of the exemption without altering the underlying affordability requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Metropolitan Police Department officers to document identifying information for all law enforcement officers present at an arrest scene and describe any force used in arrest reports and affidavits. It also mandates the public release of body-worn camera footage and incident descriptions within five business days when federal law enforcement officers use serious force in the presence of D.C. police officers. The law applies to sworn D.C. police officers and federal officers conducting law enforcement duties, while explicitly stating it does not impose legal obligations on non-MPD officers. This emergency measure is designed to increase transparency in arrest reporting and use-of-force incidents involving federal and local law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe Transparent Rates and Utility Expenses (TRUE) Amendment Act of 2026 requires Washington D.C. housing providers to clearly itemize all utility charges - such as electricity, gas, water, and sewage - before tenants apply for a rental unit and throughout their tenancy. It mandates that providers disclose how charges are calculated (e.g., based on square footage or occupancy), provide contact details for third-party billers, and include these details in lease agreements. If providers fail to disclose these details, utility charges become unenforceable, and tenants gain the right to "redeem" overdue utility payments before facing eviction - mirroring existing rent redemption protections. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in D.C. by reducing hidden costs and increasing transparency around housing expenses.

Maddy summaryThe Housing Production Omnibus Amendment Act of 2026 replaces the District of Columbia's Housing Production Trust Fund with a new Housing Opportunity Fund, organized into five dedicated funding streams: building new housing, subsidizing deeply affordable units, preserving existing affordable housing, supporting tenant purchases of buildings, and using public land for housing development. Key provisions include allowing the District's retirement funds to invest in local housing projects, giving the government more authority to acquire land in high-need areas, and creating a revolving loan fund to quickly finance projects on public land. The bill also sets minimum affordability periods for housing units supported by the fund and updates tenant purchase programs to help residents buy their buildings. This legislation directly affects D.C. residents seeking affordable housing, developers, and tenant groups by restructuring how housing funds are managed and distributed.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Dr. Janice M. Davis as she retires from Howard University School of Social Work after nearly three decades of service. It recognizes her contributions as an educator, administrator, and mentor who has prepared thousands of social workers to serve communities. The resolution formally acknowledges her leadership roles, including her tenure as Director of Clinical Education since 2011, and celebrates her impact on the social work profession. This measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to publicly recognize her achievements and retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of rental properties exempt from rent stabilization to report specific data when registering their units with the District of Columbia. The key requirement is that owners must provide the current monthly rent, the rent charged in the two previous calendar years, and details about utilities, facilities, services, and appliances included with the unit. This information is only needed at the time of registration and does not create ongoing annual reporting obligations. The legislation is designed to improve data accuracy for rental housing records and will remain in effect for up to 90 days if approved.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to require the Metropolitan Police Department to document all law enforcement officers present at arrest scenes and any use of force incidents, including federal officers who may act alongside MPD officers. It amends existing body-worn camera regulations to ensure that footage capturing serious uses of force or officer-involved deaths is made public regardless of which agency's officer used the force. The bill directly affects MPD reporting procedures and public access to enforcement records by closing gaps in accountability when federal officers participate in joint operations within the District.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to preserve reporting requirements for the District's RentRegistry housing database, which requires all rental providers - including those exempt from rent stabilization - to submit current and prior rent amounts, utilities, facilities, services, and appliances at the time of registration. The bill addresses a potential legal gap that would arise when temporary clarifying legislation expires on April 5, 2026, which could create uncertainty about the District's authority to collect this data from exempt housing providers. By maintaining these requirements, the resolution aims to prevent incomplete registrations and ensure the database remains functional for housing enforcement, tenant protection, and market transparency. The measure allows for expedited adoption after a single reading to avoid delays that could compromise the integrity of the housing data system.