Councilmember Phil Mendelson

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how the District of Columbia can share client data between different health and human service agencies to help determine eligibility for federal and local benefits. Specifically, it allows the Family Services Administration to share information with the Economic Security Administration to streamline time limit exemptions for SNAP recipients, reducing the administrative burden on these customers. The legislation achieves this by updating existing laws to explicitly permit data sharing under established confidentiality rules and by refining the legal definition of which government entities are authorized to participate in these data exchanges.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the redevelopment of DC United's Audi Field by allowing the team and the District to enter a public-private financing agreement for a project costing at least $620 million. The plan includes installing a climate-controlling roof, expanding seating capacity by 8,000 seats, and building ancillary housing with at least 148 affordable units. To fund the initiative, the District will contribute $300 million over five years while the team provides at least $320 million, with the goal of hosting over 100 new annual events. The legislation also establishes a new preservation fund, grants tax exemptions on excess revenue, and imposes additional sales taxes on ticket sales and certain goods sold at the stadium.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the District of Columbia's Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to include certified addiction counselors, allowing them to receive debt repayment in exchange for working in underserved areas. It also clarifies that the program can cover up to 100% of eligible professionals' student loans, with maximum repayment caps ranging from $45,000 to $200,000 depending on their specific role and service commitment. Additionally, the legislation grants the Mayor the authority to adjust annual repayment amounts and allocation procedures based on available funding and the Consumer Price Index. These changes aim to improve access to healthcare for District residents by incentivizing medical and mental health professionals to work in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Maddy summaryThe Housing Investment Protection Act of 2026 aims to support tenants and protect housing investments by clarifying rules for repairs and expanding affordable housing options. It allows the District of Columbia Housing Authority to temporarily transfer rental assistance to different properties while units undergo renovations and expands eligibility for the Local Rental Supplement Program to include very low-income residents. The bill also updates tenant definitions to clarify who can exercise purchase rights under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act and streamlines the process for the Mayor to buy buildings to preserve affordable units. Additionally, the legislation improves the eviction court process by setting specific hearing timelines and modernizing how eviction notices are delivered to ensure predictability for both landlords and tenants.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the District of Columbia government's authority to repair or restore private roads and alleys used for trash collection. It allows the Mayor to enter these private properties to fix them if they are in poor condition and the owner has not agreed to maintain them, provided the owner consents and signs a liability release. The legislation also requires the Mayor to seek liability releases from all impacted property owners before beginning any work. By amending an existing 2024 law, the bill aims to ensure that essential municipal services like waste removal can proceed safely on private land.

Maddy summaryThis temporary bill updates the rules for medical cannabis in Washington, D.C., by extending the validity of existing conditional licenses for one year and clarifying how unlicensed businesses are defined and enforced. It specifically expands the definition of unlicensed establishments to include any business selling Schedule I substances, such as heroin or LSD, and sets a clear start date of April 1, 2025, for enforcement actions against these unlicensed operations. The legislation also adjusts licensing requirements by allowing applicants to use zoning certificates instead of occupancy certificates, modifies distance rules for new shops near schools and parks, and permits summary closures to continue as long as an immediate public danger exists. Additionally, it grants enforcement authorities the power to take action against licensed businesses if they engage in specific unlawful activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily clarifies the District of Columbia government's authority to repair or restore private roads and alleys used for trash collection. It allows the Mayor to enter private property to fix these paths if they are in poor condition, the owner is not legally required to maintain them, and the owner has provided consent along with a liability release. The legislation also requires the Mayor to attempt to obtain liability releases from nearby property owners before undertaking such repairs. This measure is set to expire 225 days after it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily amends the Omnibus Barry Farm Redevelopment Act of 2022 to allow the District's Surveyor to officially record street and alley closing plans in multiple stages rather than all at once. It directly affects the Barry Farm redevelopment project by establishing specific deadlines for recording these plans for different phases, with Phase 1A due by December 2028 and later phases due by December 2034. The legislation requires that each phase be approved by the District Department of Transportation before its corresponding plan is recorded, ensuring the process aligns with ongoing construction work. The act includes a provision that it will automatically expire 225 days after it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill, titled the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026, is a formal submission by Mayor Muriel Bowser to the Council of the District of Columbia proposing a new budget plan called Grow DC. The resolution outlines a financial plan designed to address current economic challenges such as slower population growth, remote work trends, and federal job losses, while maintaining funding for essential services like education, public safety, healthcare, and homelessness prevention. Key provisions include increasing per-student funding, investing in public school facilities and higher education support, providing resources for police and fire departments, and offering incentives to stimulate the local economy and housing development. The bill directly affects the approximately 700,000 residents of Washington, DC, by detailing how city funds will be allocated to support schools, public safety agencies, healthcare programs, and small businesses in the upcoming fiscal year.