Councilmember Phil Mendelson

Maddy summaryThe Tax Sale Equity Amendment Act of 2026 updates the District of Columbia's tax sale laws to modernize procedures and strengthen protections for property owners. It expands the types of taxes that can be collected through tax sales and introduces a cost-of-living adjustment for attorney fees to ensure they keep pace with inflation. The bill also clarifies the rules for redeeming property after a tax sale and establishes a 90-day window for owners to claim their equity or make required payments. Additionally, it adjusts the amount of additional fees payable to the Recorder of Deeds and updates the list of expenses that can be claimed if a foreclosure judgment is reopened. These changes aim to create a fairer and more transparent process for both property owners and tax sale purchasers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the District of Columbia's corporate tax rules by switching from the Joyce method to the Finnigan method for calculating how much income from a group of related companies should be taxed in the city. The change directly affects businesses that operate as a single unit across multiple locations, requiring them to file a combined tax return and share joint liability for the tax owed. Key provisions redefine how a "unitary business" is identified and establish new rules for selecting which company in the group will file the return and how income is apportioned. Additionally, the legislation clarifies definitions for terms like "tax haven" and "nexus" to ensure the tax code accurately reflects modern business structures.

Maddy summaryThis resolution amends the Council's rules to allow the University of the District of Columbia to submit grant budget modifications for Fiscal Year 2026 between July 16 and September 15, 2026. It also updates the procedures for introducing legislation requested by the Uniform Law Commission and clarifies requirements for Racial Equity Impact Assessments. Additionally, the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor is authorized to hold up to three roundtables on elections or campaign finance during the Council's recess from July 15 to September 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to clarify the District government's authority to repair certain private roads and alleys that are essential for public services like trash collection and vehicle access. It directly affects residents in areas such as Hillcrest and near Morris Road, SE, where existing pathways are in disrepair but were never officially recorded as public streets. The bill allows the Mayor to fix these specific private rights-of-way without needing immediate consent from property owners and to seek reimbursement for repair costs from those owners if applicable. This measure is intended to address urgent maintenance needs before the next winter season, with permanent legislation planned to follow.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Mayor of Washington, D.C. the authority to create and update rules necessary to enforce the Language Access Act of 2004. By declaring an emergency, the legislation allows the Office of Human Rights to immediately adopt regulations that ensure fair and effective language access for residents and visitors. The measures are designed to streamline the implementation of existing laws without requiring a lengthy legislative review process.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the District of Columbia to approve and pay for an emergency snow removal contract with Fort Myer Construction Corporation. The agreement, valued at approximately $8.8 million, covers the provision of snow removal equipment and operators for the period from January 27, 2026, through February 19, 2026. Because the contract amount exceeds one million dollars, the legislation requires Council approval to legally authorize the payment for these services. The bill also includes a provision to bypass standard regulatory requirements due to the urgent nature of the snow removal needs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to temporarily extend medical cannabis licenses and clarify enforcement rules for unlicensed operations in the District of Columbia. It directly affects medical cannabis businesses such as growers, retailers, and testing labs by granting them an additional year of conditional licensing while the Council is in recess. The bill also updates regulations to allow applicants to use zoning certificates instead of occupancy certificates, clarifies distance requirements between retailers and schools, and authorizes police to enforce laws against unlicensed establishments selling illegal substances. These measures are intended to maintain regulatory oversight and public safety until permanent legislation can be passed later in the year.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes an emergency modification to a contract with Eastern Salt Company, Inc. to increase the spending limit for de-icing salt from $1 million to $5 million. The change allows the District of Columbia to purchase additional salt for snow removal between January 22, 2026, and December 14, 2026. It also permits the immediate payment for salt already delivered and any future deliveries under the updated agreement. The legislation is classified as an emergency measure because the contract value exceeded the standard approval threshold within a single year.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes emergency contract modifications to increase the funding for Friendship Place, a nonprofit organization that provides short-term family housing in Washington, D.C. The legislation approves two specific changes that raise the maximum allowable contract amount from approximately $2.75 million to over $4 million to cover additional services provided between October 2025 and September 2026. By declaring an emergency, the bill allows the city to bypass standard legislative procedures and immediately approve payments for goods and services that would otherwise be blocked by a legal spending limit. This action ensures that the organization can continue its housing operations without interruption while the Council reviews the financial adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the payment of $3.2 million to Strittmatter Metro, LLC for emergency snow removal services provided in Washington, D.C., during a severe winter storm in early 2026. The legislation formally approves the contract and its subsequent modifications, which were executed quickly to address an immediate public safety need when standard procurement processes would have been too slow. By passing this measure, the Council ensures that the company can be legally paid for the equipment and operators they deployed, as the amount exceeds the threshold for emergency contracts without prior legislative approval. The bill also explicitly states that this approval overrides certain standard procurement regulations to facilitate the rapid response to the weather emergency.