Councilmember Brooke Pinto

Maddy summaryThe First Responders Facilities Modernization Act of 2026 creates a structured process to update and maintain facilities for the District's police and fire departments. It requires the Mayor to establish a new office dedicated to developing a comprehensive 10-year plan for these buildings, which must be reviewed and approved by the City Council every five years. This plan will use specific data, such as crime rates, call volumes, and neighborhood growth, to decide which facilities need repairs or upgrades first. Additionally, the law mandates that the Mayor submit a revised plan within 180 days if the Council rejects the initial proposal.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates existing safety laws to include two new sports venues, the Downtown Arena and the Southeast Arena, in regulations that currently apply to other stadiums in the District of Columbia. The primary change prohibits unauthorized individuals from entering the playing surfaces of these arenas unless they have explicit permission from the venue operators. By adding these locations to the legal definition of regulated areas, the measure ensures consistent safety standards across all major sports facilities in the city.

Maddy summaryThe Smoke Detector Safety Amendment Act of 2025 prohibits the sale or installation of solely battery-operated smoke detectors that are not tamper-resistant in Washington, D.C., effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects retailers, installers, and manufacturers selling or installing these devices within the District. The bill defines "tamper-resistant" as detectors where batteries cannot be manually removed, replaced, or disabled by consumers. Violations may result in civil fines up to $500, and residents can file written complaints with the Mayor alleging non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily amends the District of Columbia's Volunteer Services Act to grant the Attorney General the authority to establish regulations for using volunteers. By updating Section 3 of the existing law, the measure adds the Attorney General's office to the list of government entities permitted to manage volunteer programs. The changes are scheduled to take effect on April 15, 2026, and will remain in force for a period of 225 days before expiring. The legislation focuses on clarifying administrative oversight rather than creating new funding or expanding volunteer eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis temporary bill, effective May 14, 2026, modifies how the District of Columbia handles abbreviated probate proceedings for estates where the deceased died on or after March 21, 2025. It allows the Register of Wills to refer cases to the Court for a decision on appointing a personal representative and admitting a will if additional proof is needed, while also permitting notices of legal actions to be published in either a legal periodical or a general newspaper. The law includes a sunset provision, meaning all changes will automatically expire 225 days after it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThe Harmony Park Designation Act of 2025 symbolically renames a triangle park between New Jersey Avenue NW and Rhode Island Avenue NW in Ward 1 (bordering Ward 2 and Ward 5) as "Harmony Park." This name honors the Columbian Harmony Society and Harmonean Cemetery, which supported African American communities in the District since 1825. The designation follows community resolutions from ANC 1B and ANC 2G (formerly ANC 6E), recognizing the historical significance of the cemetery site now occupied by the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metro station. The bill has no fiscal impact or policy changes - it solely updates the park's official name.

Maddy summaryThis bill symbolically designates the playground and dog park at 26th Street NW and I Street NW in Ward 2 as "Green’s Court Park." It honors the historical Green’s Court neighborhood, which existed from the late 19th century until the 1960s as a working-class area home to African American and Irish American families, including resident Thomas Green. The name was chosen by the Foggy Bottom Association following a community vote (68.8% support). This is a purely commemorative act with no policy changes, funding, or regulatory impact - only renaming an existing public space.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily extends existing safety rules to include two new venues, the Downtown Arena and the Southeast Arena, by adding them to the District's public safety code that currently covers stadiums like RFK Stadium. The law prohibits unauthorized entry onto the playing surfaces of these arenas unless explicitly permitted by the venue operators or their authorized agents. It defines the playing surface as the area within the seating facilities of each venue and sets the rule in effect for 225 days after it takes official effect. The legislation applies to anyone entering these specific arenas and aligns their safety requirements with those already in place for other major sports venues in the District.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Volunteers Services Act to clarify that the District of Columbia Attorney General has the authority to create regulations governing the use of volunteers. The change specifically adds the Attorney General to the list of entities authorized to promulgate rules under the existing volunteer services law. As an emergency measure, the legislation is designed to remain in effect for no longer than 90 days pending further action.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the Prearrest Diversion Task Force to submit its initial recommendations from June 2025 to July 2026. The task force is responsible for developing strategies to divert individuals charged with certain misdemeanor offenses away from the criminal justice system before an arrest occurs. By adjusting the timeline in existing laws, the legislation provides the group with additional time to complete its analysis and proposals. The act is designed to be temporary and will expire within 90 days of becoming effective.