Councilmember Brooke Pinto

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0002) declares February 2, 2025, as "D.C. Groundhog Day" in Washington, D.C., recognizing the annual tradition involving Potomac Phil, the District's groundhog weather predictor. It directly affects District residents and visitors who participate in the Dupont Circle ceremony on that date. The resolution has no legal effect beyond formally designating the date for commemorative purposes, aligning with the folklore tradition where Potomac Phil's shadow sighting predicts winter duration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program requiring the District's Department of Public Works to provide grants to organizations that set up publicly accessible shower and laundry facilities. It directly affects unhoused residents and those experiencing housing instability, who face barriers to hygiene access. Key provisions mandate facilities be ADA-compliant, provide supplies (shampoo, towels, laundry equipment), operate 12 days monthly for six hours daily (including evening hours), and collect usage data. The program requires at least four sites - one in each District quadrant and one east of the Anacostia River - to address geographic gaps in service.

Maddy summaryThis emergency bill extends existing pretrial detention policies in Washington, D.C., by removing their automatic expiration date. It directly affects the District's pretrial system, which determines whether individuals are held before trial. Key provisions repeal sunset clauses in the 2024 Secure DC Omnibus Act and adjust reporting deadlines for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to May 7, 2025, instead of referencing prior legislation. The bill clarifies that reports must now be submitted after two specific emergency measures take effect, streamlining compliance for agencies. This is a procedural extension focused on maintaining current pretrial detention rules without creating new policies.

Maddy summaryThe Studio Theatre Tax Abatement Amendment Act of 2025 updates a property tax exemption to reflect a new building used for Studio Theatre’s apprentice housing program. It amends the District of Columbia code to replace the old property description (1630 Corcoran St. NW) with the new one (1437 Clifton St. NW), ensuring the tax exemption continues for the same nonprofit program. This directly affects Studio Theatre by maintaining their property tax exemption for housing used in their apprentice program, which provides training, housing, and stipends to 11 early-career arts professionals annually. The change aligns with the original 2009 tax abatement intent, preserving support for the theater’s nonprofit activities after they replaced the property in 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily amends two District of Columbia laws to affect pardon applicants and related processes. It allows the Clemency Board to waive the standard 5-year waiting period for pardons if the applicant has a waiver from the Pardon Attorney or President (subject to specific conditions like no probation/parole and Board discretion), and updates the Second Chance Act's effective date to October 1, 2027. The key mechanism creates a new waiver process with strict eligibility rules, requiring written requests and Board decisions. The changes are temporary, expiring 225 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Vehicular Noise Reduction Act of 2025 (B 26-0115) establishes a two-year pilot program using noise cameras to detect vehicles exceeding District noise limits (e.g., from modified mufflers), requires DDOT to report on camera placement and effectiveness, and mandates a study on noise-reduction strategies. It also creates a subsidy program to help vehicle owners repair noise-related issues and commissions a study by DDOT and DOEE on reducing vehicular and transit noise. The bill directly affects District residents, particularly those in communities of color, immigrants, and low-income neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by traffic noise pollution. Key mechanisms include noise camera enforcement, repair subsidies, and a formal study to inform future noise-reduction policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clemency Board Establishment Act to allow the Board to waive the 5-year waiting period for pardon applicants when the federal government has already approved a waiver (per DOJ guidelines), but only if the applicant is not on probation, parole, or supervised release. It also updates the Second Chance Amendment Act’s effective date from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2027. The Board must provide written decisions on waiver requests and may ask for additional information from applicants. As an emergency measure, the bill takes effect immediately but expires after 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis resolution amends two laws to address immediate needs. It authorizes the District of Columbia Clemency Board to grant 5-year waiting period waivers for pardon applicants (mirroring federal DOJ practice), ensuring applicants with federal waivers aren't deemed ineligible. It also delays implementation of the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2027, giving agencies more time to prepare. The changes directly affect clemency applicants and local agencies implementing the Second Chance Act.

Maddy summaryThis resolution extends the expiration date of pretrial detention provisions in the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024, which would have ended on February 18, 2025. It removes the sunset date to allow the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) additional time to complete required reports on the effectiveness of these policies. The resolution also clarifies reporting requirements for the CJCC under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Establishment Act of 2001. As an emergency measure, it takes immediate effect to prevent the provisions from expiring before the reports are finalized.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the 2010 Residential Tranquility Act to prohibit using sound amplifying devices during demonstrations targeting residences between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in residential zones. It also bans throwing projectiles onto residential property with the intent to cause fear, intimidate, or retaliate against occupants. These provisions directly affect demonstrators and individuals targeting homes, aiming to reduce nighttime disruptions and intimidation. The bill additionally includes a minor technical change to the expiration date for Council appointments to the Corrections Information Council.