Councilmember Wendell Felder

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily amends the District of Columbia's Certified Business Enterprise Program to update how businesses are certified and enforced. It requires applicants to be independently owned and operated, meaning they manage their daily operations without external control from other businesses. The legislation also sets specific performance rules for joint ventures, mandating that they complete work proportional to their ownership and subcontract at least 35% of work to certified businesses. Finally, it establishes clearer procedures for filing complaints, distinguishing between formal written submissions and informal reports, while requiring the Department to maintain records of all formal complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for the District of Columbia's Certified Business Enterprise Program to ensure fairer participation and stronger enforcement. It clarifies that businesses seeking certification must be independently owned and operated, preventing larger companies from controlling smaller ones just to gain certification status. The law also sets new performance requirements for joint ventures, mandating that each partner performs work proportional to their ownership share and that at least 35% of subcontracted work goes to other certified businesses. Additionally, the bill creates a clearer system for handling complaints by defining both formal and informal options and requiring the Department to investigate all valid complaints while maintaining public records of formal filings.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the District of Columbia to join the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, a national agreement designed to simplify the process for dentists and dental hygienists to practice across state lines. By joining the Compact, the District will allow licensed professionals to obtain expedited "compact licenses" to work in other member states and will gain access to a shared database of disciplinary actions and ongoing investigations. The legislation establishes a commission made up of dental board representatives to oversee the program and clarifies that the District retains the authority to take disciplinary action against licensees based on information shared through this network. Additionally, the bill defines specific terms related to military spouses, criminal convictions, and professional misconduct to ensure consistent standards are applied when sharing data between states.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to temporarily extend laws governing the Certified Business Enterprise Program in the District of Columbia while awaiting final approval from Congress. It specifically addresses a legal gap that would occur between the expiration of an existing emergency amendment and the projected effective date of a new temporary amendment. The measure ensures that requirements for independent business ownership and joint venture performance standards remain in force without interruption. By adopting this resolution, the Council allows the updated enforcement procedures to take effect immediately and remain active until the new law is fully enacted.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the life and legacy of Diane K. Triplett Alexander, a longtime resident of Ward 7 who passed away in May 2026. The bill formally recognizes her decades of service in the District's Early Childhood Program, her active participation in community organizations, and her contributions to her church and neighborhood. It designates the document as the "Diane K. Triplett Alexander Recognition Resolution of 2026" and expresses the Council's gratitude and condolences to her family.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes renaming the section of Benning Road SE in Ward 7, located between H Street SE and Southern Avenue SE, to "Willie J. Hardy Way." The change is intended to honor Willie J. Hardy, a longtime community advocate and former Ward 7 Councilmember who dedicated her career to supporting families through anti-poverty services and public service. By formally designating the street with her name, the legislation symbolically recognizes her legacy and contributions to the local community. The act requires approval from the Mayor and a 30-day congressional review period before it becomes effective.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the District of Columbia's Certified Business Enterprise Program to clarify eligibility requirements and strengthen enforcement procedures. It requires businesses seeking certification to be independently owned and operated, meaning they must manage their own daily operations without external control. The legislation also updates performance rules for joint ventures, mandating that certified partners complete work proportional to their ownership stake and ensuring at least 35% of subcontracted work goes to other certified businesses. Additionally, the bill establishes a formal complaint process that includes a hotline for informal complaints and creates specific rules for investigating and documenting violations. These changes aim to make the certification process clearer and provide the Department with more structured tools to enforce compliance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to update the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Program, which provides bidding preferences to locally owned businesses in the District of Columbia. The bill reinstates rules requiring CBE applicants to be independently owned and operated, and it establishes uniform hearing procedures to ensure fair and consistent enforcement actions. By making these changes permanent, the measure aims to maintain program integrity and improve administrative efficiency for the over 2,000 businesses currently participating. The Council determines that immediate action is necessary because previous temporary provisions expired on March 29, 2026, and their lapse would disrupt program operations.

Maddy summaryThe Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026 legalizes and regulates online casino-style games, such as poker and slots, within the District of Columbia. This legislation creates a new regulatory framework managed by the Office of Lottery and Gaming, which includes strict age verification, anti-money laundering rules, and tools to promote responsible gaming like deposit limits. Operators wishing to offer these services must obtain licenses, pay taxes on their adjusted gross gaming revenue, and participate in a Certified Business Enterprise program. Additionally, the bill establishes a Community Reinvestment Fund to support local initiatives and explicitly bans unlicensed sweepstakes and dual-currency gaming products.

Maddy summaryThis bill symbolically designates the 100 block of 49th Street Northeast in Washington, D.C., as "Dr. William Keelan Collins, Sr. Way" to honor the late dentist, educator, and community leader. The legislation affects only the street name on that specific block, where Dr. Collins once lived, and does not change any physical infrastructure or impose new regulations. By amending the District's street naming records, the bill formally recognizes Dr. Collins's contributions to dentistry, education, and economic development in the Far Northeast community. The change requires approval from the Mayor and a 30-day congressional review period before becoming effective.