Committee of the Whole Markup Session: March 31, 2026

On March 31, 2026, at 1:18 PM, Chair Phil Mendelson convened an additional meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Council of the District of Columbia in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. The meeting was held to mark up several measures and to consider items reported from other committees, ahead of the April legislative meeting. All votes were unanimous, and every measure was placed on the consent agenda for the subsequent legislative meeting.

Consent Calendar

• All measures approved during the markup were placed on the consent calendar for the April legislative meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was offered during the markup. The only noted opposition came from the firefighters union regarding Bill 26-227 (One Front Door Amendment Act), as mentioned by Councilmember Pinto and in the committee report.

Discussion Items

• PR 26-549 – Barbara Jones Confirmation (State Athletics Commission): Chair Mendelson moved to confirm Barbara Jones, a Ward 8 resident with extensive public service and community leadership, to a voting member term ending November 16, 2028. No opposition was received during the public roundtable. Approved unanimously.
• Bill 26-57 – Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act: Not moved due to the lack of a fiscal impact statement.
• Bill 26-227 – One Front Door Amendment Act: Chair Mendelson presented the bill, which would allow single-stair multifamily buildings up to six stories to reduce construction costs and enable development on smaller lots. The committee report cited safety data from New York City and Seattle showing no increased fire risk, and noted that sprinkler systems reduce fire deaths by 90%. Councilmember Pinto expressed concerns from first responders about firefighter access during evacuations and requested collaboration on exterior fire escapes before second reading. Councilmember Henderson questioned the Department of Buildings' capacity to develop regulations promptly after the dissolution of the construction codes coordinating board. Chair Mendelson acknowledged potential delays but supported moving forward. Approved unanimously.
• Bill 26-396 – Transfer and Recordation Tax Appeals Amendment Act: This bill allows property sellers or buyers to appeal the fair market value used for calculating transfer and recordation taxes, addressing cases where assessed values far exceed sale prices (e.g., 616H Street NW sold for $39M vs. assessed $225.7M, resulting in $6.5M in taxes). The committee print made only technical edits. Approved unanimously.
• Bill 26-432 – Roland Fatty Taylor Way Designation Act: Symbolically names 62nd Street NE between Banks and Clay Streets after Roland "Fatty" Taylor, a former ABA/NBA player from Ward 7. No opposition. Approved unanimously.
• Bill 26-550 – Ralph J. Bunch Way Designation Act: Symbolically names 15th Street NE between Jackson and Kearney Streets after Dr. Ralph Bunche, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Howard University professor. Councilmember Parker noted the effort to document African American history in Ward 5. Approved unanimously.
• Measures from Other Committees:
  • Bill 26-490 – Library eBook Licensing Fairness Amendment Act (Committee on Human Services): Councilmember Fruman explained that the bill prohibits DCPL from entering into licensing agreements that restrict access to ebooks, addressing high costs and long wait times. The bill only takes effect after 10 other jurisdictions with 50 million people enact similar laws. No fiscal impact. Approved unanimously.
  • PR 26-488, PR 26-565, PR 26-566 – Board of Library Trustees Confirmations (Danella Brockington, Holly Flood, Christie C. Whitfield): Councilmember Fruman presented each nominee's background, noting that all hold library cards. Approved unanimously.
  • PR 26-482, PR 26-483 – Green Finance Authority Board Confirmations (Monica Warren Jones, Anthony Washington): Councilmember Allen detailed their experience in community development finance and multifamily lending. Approved unanimously.
  • PR 26-485, PR 26-487 – DC Water and Sewer Authority Board Confirmations (Rachna Bhutani Bot, Dr. Jimmy Ortiz): Councilmember Allen presented their reappointments to the DC Water Board. Approved unanimously.
  • Bill 26-136 – Special Election for the Office of Delegate Amendment Act of 2026 (Committee on Executive Administration and Labor): Councilmember Bonds explained that the bill requires the Board of Elections to hold a special election within 49 days after the House Speaker declares more than 100 vacancies, ensuring timely representation. No fiscal impact. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All seven committee markup items and all eight measures from other committees were approved unanimously.
• Every approved measure was placed on the consent agenda for the April legislative meeting.
• Councilmember Pinto requested further collaboration on safety provisions for Bill 26-227 before the second reading.
• The meeting adjourned at 2:05 PM.