Councilmember Robert White

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Metropolitan Police Department officers to document the names, badge numbers, and employing agencies of all law enforcement officers present at an arrest scene, along with details about any force used and whether any officers declined to identify themselves. It also mandates that the Mayor publicly release body camera footage and incident descriptions within five business days when federal law enforcement officers use serious force in the presence of DC police officers. The legislation applies specifically to arrests and use-of-force incidents involving DC police and federal officers, ensuring greater transparency in how these events are documented and reported.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers administration of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). It directly affects how DC allocates federal tax credits for affordable housing projects, which are critical for leveraging private investment in low-income housing. The key mechanism requires DCHFA - already managing similar housing finance tools - to now oversee the 9% LIHTC program, streamlining processes and preventing future credit losses like the $3.1 million forfeited in 2025. The legislation aims to maximize existing federal housing dollars by improving coordination across financing tools.

Maddy summaryThe Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2025 prohibits insurance companies from asking about a dog's breed or charging higher premiums based on breed (except for documented aggressive behavior or if the dog is declared dangerous). It amends the 2024 Pets in Housing law to immediately implement pet rent and fee limits without requiring new funding, ensuring landlords who remove breed bans don't face higher insurance costs. This directly affects landlords, tenants (especially low-income residents and people of color who own mixed-breed dogs), and insurance companies in the District of Columbia. The bill removes financial barriers to pet ownership by addressing insurance discrimination and making key housing provisions effective.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large residential and mixed-use housing projects (50,000+ square feet) receiving funding from the District’s Housing Production Trust Fund to meet net zero energy and net zero carbon standards by 2026. It directs the Department to report every six months on progress toward developing universal net zero energy building regulations, including barriers and potential law changes. The requirements are temporary, expiring after 225 days or when final regulations under the Clean Energy DC Building Code Act are issued. The bill also removes existing net zero energy compliance provisions for residential/mixed-use projects under the Green Building Act of 2006.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0121) formally honors John Fitzgerald Cotten, a late community leader and public servant from Ward 7, for his decades of service to District residents. It posthumously recognizes his contributions as a Kappa Alpha Psi leader, high school coach, advocate for Southeast Washington, and longtime Treasury employee, while extending condolences to his family. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic, with no new obligations or funding.

Maddy summaryThe LIEN Act of 2026 allows DC's Department of Buildings (DOB) to place liens on properties when landlords fail to fix serious, documented housing violations after city orders. It directly affects property owners with chronic uncorrected violations (like pest infestations, mold, or unsafe wiring) that result in unpaid fines or unresolved health/safety hazards. Key provisions include DOB recording liens for uncured Class 1 violations, unpaid civil penalties after final orders, or unaddressed emergency notices - attaching these liens to the property like a tax lien to prevent sales or refinancing until repairs are made. The bill also enables DOB to bill owners for costs of emergency repairs (special assessments) if they ignore violation notices.

Maddy summaryThis temporary D.C. bill clarifies that rental units participating in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program are exempt from the District’s rent stabilization rules. It amends the 1985 Rental Housing Act to explicitly include LIHTC units in the exemption, removing ambiguity about their status. The change directly affects housing providers who receive LIHTC tax credits, ensuring they are not subject to rent stabilization requirements. The law expires 225 days after enactment and does not create new policy - it only clarifies an existing exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill symbolically renames Sumner Road, SE in Barry Farm (Ward 8) as "Marvin 'Slush' Gross Way" to honor Marvin Gross, a local cultural figure who founded the Beat Ya Feet dance style in DC's Go-Go music scene. It directly recognizes his legacy as a neighborhood leader and artist who passed away in 2002, supported by his family, neighbors, and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C. The bill follows standard District street-naming procedures (D.C. Law 4-201) and has no fiscal impact. It is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond the street name.

Maddy summaryThe Green Housing Coordination Amendment Act of 2025 requires developers receiving Housing Production Trust Fund dollars for new construction to design buildings to Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus standards, which include net zero energy readiness features. It also mandates adding rooftop solar where feasible for new construction and substantial renovations, while adjusting net zero energy (NZE) requirements to better align with current economic realities for renovation projects. The bill aims to balance future sustainability goals with practical affordability for subsidized housing developers, particularly addressing concerns about costly retrofits. It directly affects affordable housing developers using public funds, ensuring new projects incorporate renewable energy readiness without imposing immediate, unaffordable NZE compliance.

Maddy summaryThe Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact Act of 2025 allows District of Columbia social workers to practice across state lines - including via telehealth - without obtaining separate licenses in each state, by joining a national compact. It directly affects licensed social workers, clients who move or travel (like military families, students, and federal employees), and DC’s social work workforce. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, preservation of DC’s existing alternative licensure pathway for graduate students, and maintaining DC’s authority to regulate practice and take adverse action against licensees. The bill reduces administrative barriers while ensuring social workers comply with client location laws and preserving local regulatory standards.