Council of the District of Columbia Legislative Meeting (May 5, 2026)

This regular legislative meeting of the Council of the District of Columbia, the 29th of Council Period 26, was chaired by Phil Mendelson at 2:15 PM in the Johnny Wilson Building. The meeting covered numerous bills, including a contested youth curfew bill, housing relief legislation, and multiple emergency measures. Key votes and debates focused on the juvenile curfew, fair housing practices, and homeowner assistance.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was revised by removing several items: Bill 26‑126 (Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act), Bill 26‑57 (Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act), Bill 26‑545 (River East to Grandview Homeownership Relief), and two alley‑closure bills (Greenscourt, Harmony Park, Rodney Wright) that had not been marked up. PR 26‑577 (Citizen Review Panel reappointment) was also removed.
• The consent agenda as revised was approved unanimously (voice vote).

Discussion Items

Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act (Bill 26‑126)

• Councilmember Robert White moved the bill, which prohibits housing providers from separately charging tenants for common‑area utilities and requires 45‑day notice of unpaid amounts after vacating, with evidence of service 60 days before sending to debt collector.
• Councilmember Pinto raised a concern about notifying tenants at a last‑known address if they have moved; Councilmember White clarified the bill already requires requesting a forwarding address or email.
• The bill passed first reading unanimously.

River East to Grandview Homeownership Relief (Bill 26‑545)

• Councilmember Robert White described it as a budget‑neutral measure using the HPAP program to assist 30 remaining homeowners affected by shoddy construction. He stated the total government assistance to date was about $14.275 million for 46 units.
• Councilmember Trayon White co‑introduced and emphasized the harm to families.
• Chairman Mendelson expressed concern that the city had already provided substantial aid (mortgage cancellations, rental assistance, buyouts) and that this was not an isolated incident.
• Councilmember Freeman supported the bill, arguing it delivers on the promise of homeownership and generational wealth.
• Councilmember Bonds asked if the bill would bring closure; Councilmember Robert White confirmed it would end council involvement.
• The bill passed with opposition: Chairman Mendelson voted no, Councilmember Trayon White voted present, and others aye.

Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act (Bill 26‑633)

• Moved by Councilmember Parker; passed with Councilmembers Lewis George and Allen voting no.

Citizen Review Panel Reappointment (PR 26‑577)

• Chairman Mendelson supported the reappointment of Whitney Miller, noting he missed meetings due to personal losses but is now fully participating.
• Councilmember Henderson opposed due to past attendance concerns.
• The resolution passed with Councilmember Henderson recorded as voting no.

Youth Curfew (Bill 26‑461) – Final Reading

• Councilmember Pinto (sponsor) argued the curfew zones are a limited, preventive tool for teen takeovers and do not require overtime for MPD.
• Councilmember Trayon White opposed, stating curfews criminalize youth and do not address root causes; he noted young people want safe spaces, not curfews.
• Councilmember Nadeau introduced two amendments:
  1. Sunset Amendment: The curfew law would expire on December 31, 2028. Debate included that the code would revert to the 1995 version. Passed on a voice vote (no roll call recorded but Chairman later said the amendment was approved).
  2. Harm Reduction Amendment: Police would be prohibited from taking curfew violators to detention centers; instead they must release to parents, transport to home, youth programming, 24‑hour drop‑in centers, or CFSA as a last resort. This amendment was subject to appropriations (estimated $200,000 for two FTEs). Passed on a roll call vote: 7 yes (Lewis George, Nadeau, Parker, Robert White, Trayon White, Allen, Crawford) to 6 no (Freeman, Henderson, Mendelson, Pinto, Bonds, Felder).
• Councilmember Parker moved an amendment to require DPR to operate at least four recreation centers in four wards from 3 PM to 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, subject to appropriations. Councilmember Lewis George urged deferral to her upcoming omnibus bill and budget markup. After discussion, Parker withdrew the amendment on the condition that it be considered during committee markups.
• Final passage on roll call: Ayes heard; recorded no votes: Robert White, Trayon White, Parker, Lewis George (and possibly others? Chair said “record me as no” for those four). The bill passed as amended.

One Front Door Amendment Act (Bill 26‑227) – Final Reading

• Councilmember Pinto moved an amendment (with Nadeau) to limit buildings to four units per floor for safety (stairwell congestion). No objection; amendment accepted. Bill passed unanimously.

Certified Business Enterprise Compliance (Emergency & Temporary)

• Councilmember Felder moved emergency and temporary bills identical to expired legislation, with a technical amendment removing a citation to section 19 of the OAH Act to avoid confusion. Both passed unanimously.

Volunteer Services Clarification (Emergency & Temporary)

• Councilmember Pinto moved to extend legislation enabling OAG lawyers to provide volunteer legal services. Passed unanimously.

Strengthening Probate Administration (Emergency & Temporary)

• Councilmember Pinto moved to prevent a gap in current temporary law expiring May 14. Passed unanimously.

DC Water Billing/Disconnection Clarification (Emergency & Temporary)

• Councilmember Allen moved to continue provisions on late fees and reporting. Passed unanimously.

Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit (Emergency & Temporary)

• Councilmember Allen moved to extend law. On the emergency declaration, Councilmember Freeman voted no; on the temporary bill, Freeman voted no. Both passed otherwise.

Reservoir District Tax Exemption (Emergency & Temporary)

• Councilmember Parker explained the need to align tax abatement with HUD income limits for a stalled development. No fiscal impact. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 26‑126 (Fair Housing) – passed first reading unanimously.
• Bill 26‑545 (River East to Grandview) – passed with opposition (Mendelson no, Trayon White present).
• Bill 26‑633 (Open Meetings Clarification) – passed with Lewis George and Allen voting no.
• PR 26‑577 (Whitney Miller reappointment) – passed; Henderson voting no.
• Bill 26‑461 (Youth Curfew) – passed final reading as amended with sunset and harm reduction amendments. Roll call on harm reduction: 7‑6. Opposition recorded from Robert White, Trayon White, Parker, Lewis George.
• Bill 26‑227 (One Front Door) – passed final reading unanimously with safety amendment.
• Emergency and temporary bills for CBE compliance, volunteer services, probate administration, DC Water, delivery devices, and reservoir district – all passed as noted (some with lone no votes).