Councilmember Phil Mendelson

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for selling a specific District-owned property at 3012 Georgia Avenue, NW, formerly the Bruce Monroe School, from December 20, 2023, to December 20, 2026. The legislation directly affects the District government by amending existing laws to allow more time to dispose of the site, which must still be used for a park or other public purposes. By pushing back the sale date, the act gives authorities additional time to find a buyer or determine the final use of the land without violating previous legal constraints.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal cause of action in the District of Columbia for individuals whose private, intimate images are shared without their consent. It defines intimate images as photos or videos showing uncovered private body parts or sexual conduct and allows victims to sue anyone who intentionally discloses such images, provided the person knew or should have known the image was private and shared without permission. The law includes specific exceptions for disclosures made in good faith for legal, medical, or public interest reasons, while also protecting plaintiffs' identities during court proceedings. Successful victims may recover actual damages, up to $10,000 in statutory damages per defendant, disgorgement of the defendant's profits, and potentially punitive damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily amends existing law to allow the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to issue non-competitive grants specifically to the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District. The funds are intended solely for sub-area planning projects within that district, expanding the scope of eligible recipients beyond just innovation districts. The authority granted by this act will expire 225 days after it takes effect, ensuring the change is limited in duration.

Maddy summaryThe Uniform Trust Decanting Act of 2023 establishes clear rules allowing trustees in the District of Columbia to modify existing trusts to better address beneficiary needs and unanticipated changes while honoring the original creator's intent. This law directly affects trustees, beneficiaries, and charitable organizations by defining the conditions under which a trustee can distribute assets from an original trust into a new one or alter the terms of the current trust. Key provisions require trustees to provide notice to beneficiaries and the Attorney General, ensure that no beneficiary or charitable interest is reduced, and protect trustees from liability related to prior decanting decisions. The bill also sets specific limits on when and how decanting can occur, such as requiring court involvement in certain situations and ensuring that tax-related obligations are maintained.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for dividing shared assets when one spouse in a community-property relationship dies, primarily affecting couples in the District of Columbia who hold property jointly. It creates a legal presumption that assets acquired during a marriage are shared equally unless proven otherwise, and it sets out specific steps for spouses to voluntarily split their ownership interests or change how certain assets are classified. The law also includes protections against unfair transfers made to hide assets from a partner and provides clear guidelines for courts to follow when heirs disagree about who owns what. By standardizing these procedures, the act aims to reduce legal disputes and ensure a fair distribution of property without requiring complex litigation in most cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill formalizes existing sign regulations in Washington, D.C., by officially adopting rules previously issued by city officials to govern outdoor advertising. It clarifies the legal process for creating future sign rules and explicitly bans off-premises advertising, such as billboards on someone else's property. The law applies these new standards retroactively to past violations but includes a protection that prevents criminal penalties for actions taken before November 2, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily amends the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act to clarify how courts should review decisions made by city agencies. It requires judges to respect an agency's reasonable interpretation of laws and regulations unless that view is clearly incorrect or contradicts the law's text or legislative intent. The change applies to both specific agency orders and general rules adopted by the Mayor or their departments. The measure is designed to last for 225 days after it takes effect, after which it will expire.

Maddy summaryThis emergency bill temporarily expands the authority of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to issue non-competitive grants to the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District. The amendment specifically allows these funds to be used for sub-area planning in addition to the previously authorized innovation district projects. The law is designed to take effect immediately upon approval and will remain in force for no more than 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the District of Columbia government and its agencies are not considered merchants under the local consumer protection law, except for specific housing-related activities. The key provision explicitly excludes government employees from the definition of a merchant when acting within their official duties, while maintaining protections for tenants dealing with the District Housing Authority. This change ensures that standard consumer rules do not apply to the District's general operations, but it preserves existing landlord-tenant regulations for public housing. The legislation is an emergency amendment intended to resolve legal ambiguity regarding the District's status as a seller of goods or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal framework in the District of Columbia to standardize how powers of appointment are created, managed, and executed in estate planning. It directly affects individuals who hold these powers, allowing them to designate who receives specific assets, as well as the lawyers and financial institutions that draft and administer these arrangements. The law provides clear rules for defining who can receive assets, how to handle situations where a named recipient has died, and how to deal with property that was not assigned to anyone. Additionally, it outlines procedures for releasing these powers, entering into contracts regarding their use, and determining when a powerholder's creditors can make claims against the assets.