Councilmember Charles Allen

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Small and Local Business Credit Enhancement Program within DC's Department of Small and Local Business Development. It directly affects qualifying small and local businesses (over 98% of DC businesses) by providing rent guarantees to help them compete for commercial space. Key provisions include a 3-year rent guarantee: 100% coverage in year one, 50% in year two, and 25% in year three, contingent on businesses submitting required financial documents like tax returns and personal financial statements to qualify. The program aims to make small businesses more competitive with national chains and encourage developers to lease to local entrepreneurs.

Maddy summaryThis emergency resolution clarifies that the District's Intelligent Speed Assistance Program (ISAP) is fully funded, allowing its implementation to proceed immediately. It modifies the STEER Act's funding language to distinguish between the fully funded ISAP (which affects drivers required to enroll after certain traffic offenses) and the modernized Ignition Interlock Program (which remains subject to future appropriations). The resolution directly affects the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which had paused ISAP rollout due to unclear funding status. This change enables the DMV to launch the ISAP without delay while maintaining the existing funding process for the Ignition Interlock updates.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific public alley system in Ward 6 (bounded by 3rd, K, 4th, and I Streets NE) as "Gallery Court." It affects local residents and the developers of nearby townhomes who face this alley, as the name aligns with community input from Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C. The bill is purely administrative, assigning a name under existing street designation procedures without creating new policies or costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Youth Advisory Council on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation in the District of Columbia. The council, composed of 17 members (9 appointed by the Mayor representing middle school, high school, and college students; 8 appointed by the Council Chairman representing each ward), will advise city agencies like the Department of Energy and Environment on climate policies. It directly affects District youth aged 11-24 who meet residency and climate engagement requirements, ensuring their input shapes environmental strategies. The council’s key role is to comment on relevant legislation, identify climate impacts on youth, and recommend improvements to environmental education and programs.

Maddy summaryThis temporary bill (B 26-0389) modifies the 2022 Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Act to adjust the structure and operations of the District Waterways Advisory Commission. It aligns Mayoral appointments for commission members with similar commissions, adds the Department of Parks and Recreation as an ex-officio non-voting member, changes commission meetings from monthly to every two months, and extends the required update period for the Advisory Plan to at least every three years. The bill affects the Commission, the Office of Waterways Management, and stakeholders involved in waterways planning. It takes effect October 18, 2025, and expires 225 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that property owners and occupants in Washington, D.C., must pay an impervious area charge assessed by DC Water. The charge is based on the amount of non-absorbent surfaces on a property (like roofs, driveways, or patios) that prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. Failure to pay creates a lien on the property, enforceable like other water utility debts. The bill is temporary, expiring 225 days after enactment, and amends existing laws to explicitly permit this charge.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily expands the Police Complaints Board from 5 to 9 members (one per ward plus an at-large member, none affiliated with law enforcement after the current MPD member's term ends) and grants the Office of Police Complaints Executive Director new authority to file complaints independently when they discover unreported misconduct, such as officers failing to intervene in excessive force incidents or not reporting violations by colleagues. It also makes minor technical changes to clarify that certain victim protections in Chapter 3 of Title 14 apply only to individuals under 18 years old. The bill is temporary, expiring 225 days after enactment or upon the effective date of another related act. It directly affects the complaint process for police misconduct, the Police Complaints Board, and victims under 18 in specific legal contexts.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Swipe Act of 2025 prohibits credit and debit card networks from charging interchange fees (swipe fees) on the sales tax and gratuity portions of restaurant and retail transactions in Washington, D.C. It directly affects local businesses, such as restaurants and retailers, which currently pay these fees on tax and tip amounts they do not retain. The bill requires merchants to submit documentation to receive credits for fees already paid, either at checkout or retroactively, and imposes a $1,000 civil penalty per violation for non-compliance. This policy change aims to help businesses retain more revenue by eliminating fees on tax and tip portions of card payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a $250 million debt cap on bonds the District of Columbia can issue for energy efficiency projects under the 2010 Energy Efficiency Financing Act. It directly affects the District government, allowing it to borrow more funds for qualifying energy efficiency improvements without the previous limit. The key provision amends Section 202(a) of the existing law by deleting the $250 million restriction. The bill is classified as an emergency measure, effective for 90 days after approval. It does not change the purpose of the financing program but expands the District's borrowing capacity for these projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the annual fee for outdoor dining permits (streateries) in Washington, D.C., to no more than $15 per square foot, directly benefiting restaurants and businesses using public sidewalks for outdoor seating. It delays enforcement of streatery rules until January 15, 2026, and allows the Public Space Committee to waive specific requirements (like minimum distances from curb cuts or height limits) if safety risks are avoided. The bill also declares the District’s policy to promote streateries as a way to support local businesses and enhance public dining scenes, while requiring the committee to prioritize recommendations from the Old Georgetown Board for designs in that neighborhood.