Councilmember Zachary Parker

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution officially recognizes entertainer Lonnie Bee during the 2026 DC Black Pride celebration. The bill highlights Bee's achievements as a dancer, choreographer, and producer who has built a successful career while remaining connected to the community through his comedy brunch and stage productions. It also provides context about the event, noting that DC Black Pride is the world's first Black Pride festival and will host its 35th anniversary in May 2026. The measure serves as a formal acknowledgment of Bee's contributions and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution officially recognizes June 2026 as Men's Health Month and the period from June 15 to 21 as Men's Health Week within the District of Columbia. The measure aims to raise public awareness about men's physical and mental health needs, highlighting issues such as higher rates of chronic disease, premature mortality, and the "Deaths of Despair" linked to suicide and substance use. By designating these dates, the Council encourages organizations, families, and individuals to participate in health awareness events and promote preventive care. The resolution does not allocate funding or change laws but serves to formally acknowledge the importance of addressing unique health challenges faced by men and boys.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution formally recognizes Kimberley Bush, Executive Director of the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, during the 2026 DC Black Pride celebration. The document highlights her leadership in expanding the organization's services and overseeing the opening of a new community center in 2025. It also celebrates the 35th anniversary of DC Black Pride, noting its role as a global model for Black LGBTQ+ visibility and support. The measure is a symbolic acknowledgment rather than a law that changes funding or policy.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution formally recognizes Kenya Hutton, a long-time advocate for HIV prevention and sexual health within the LGBTQIA+ and ballroom communities, during the 2026 DC Black Pride celebration. The bill highlights Hutton's contributions to public health, including his work establishing educational programs for community health workers and co-founding the Capitol Ballroom Council to support marginalized groups. By citing these achievements, the resolution aims to honor Hutton's leadership and dedication to improving the well-being of disenfranchised populations. The measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of Hutton's impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThe Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025 (B 26-0444) changes the Food Policy Council's reporting requirement from annual to triennial (every three years) for its food system assessment. It expands the Council's authority to evaluate food procurement practices across all District government agencies that spend over $62 million annually on food, including schools, jails, and shelters. The bill requires the Council to oversee improvements in institutional food quality, advise agencies on sustainable and nutritious procurement standards, and consolidate District-wide food purchasing data to track progress on local, sustainable, and nutritional goals. This legislation aligns District reporting with common state practices and gives the Council formal authority to address food access, urban agriculture, and food insecurity metrics already tracked in the Sustainable DC dashboard.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the District of Columbia's tax code to ensure that the Reservoir District development project can continue using specific income limits set by the federal government to determine which residents qualify for affordable housing units. The legislation addresses a discrepancy between local zoning rates and federal standards that could otherwise make the project financially unviable, potentially delaying the construction of new homes and a grocery store. By clarifying that the project must adhere to the 80 percent income limit category established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the bill aims to secure the project's funding and allow it to proceed as planned.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt specific properties owned by the Archdiocese of Washington from deed recordation and transfer taxes when they are retitled to individual parishes that exclusively use them for religious and nonprofit purposes. The legislation directly affects approximately 105 properties across six wards in Washington, DC, including churches and related facilities in parishes such as St. Augustine, Immaculate Conception, and Holy Name of Jesus. By removing these transfer costs, the bill facilitates the administrative transfer of property titles from the archdiocese to constituent parishes in alignment with church policies, though it does not exempt these properties from ongoing property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires District of Columbia public charter schools and public schools to give admission preference in the annual school lottery to students who attended a school that closed during the current or immediately preceding school year. It directly affects families displaced by sudden school closures - such as those from charter schools with revoked or relinquished charters, or DCPS schools determined to close - by ensuring these students receive priority access to available seats during the lottery process. The preference applies whether the closure announcement occurs during the active lottery period or before it begins, allowing displaced students to compete for spots alongside those who participated in the full lottery cycle. This policy change aims to mitigate disruptions caused by school closures, which research links to long-term negative impacts on students' education and future opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures students in DC's care system - such as those in foster care, group homes, or juvenile facilities - can maintain consistent education when moving between placements. It requires the Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) to create a uniform course catalog, implement flexible graduation waivers for disrupted schooling, and standardize transcript evaluations to transfer credits smoothly. The Students in the Care of D.C. Coordinating Committee must regularly review the bill's impact on student outcomes. These changes aim to prevent educational gaps during transitions, directly affecting students, DCPS, and local education agencies.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the LGBTQIA+ communities of the District of Columbia and commemorates the 51st annual Capital Pride celebration in 2026. The bill expresses the District government's commitment to supporting and protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals while condemning acts of prejudice and anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. It highlights past achievements such as local non-discrimination laws and same-sex marriage legalization, as well as recent investments in community centers and HIV prevention services. The resolution formally recognizes the contributions of these communities and marks the upcoming Pride events scheduled for June 2026.