OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

DC Council Committee of the Whole – May 5, 2026: Insurance, Zoning, and Housing Bills

Council of the District of Columbia — Tuesday, May 5, 2026
BodyWashington, District Of Columbia
SessionCouncil of the District of Columbia
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:10:11

Transcript — Verbatim
0:16

I'm calling to order this meeting.

0:18

This is an additional meeting of the committee of the whole of the Council of the District of Columbia.

0:22

We will have a legislative meeting today, our regular legislative meeting for the first Tuesday of the month of May.

0:28

But we are having an additional meeting of the committee of the whole first.

0:33

And uh I will note that uh today is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.

0:37

The time is 1243 in the afternoon.

0:39

We are in room 500 of the council chambers of the Johnny Wilson Building.

0:43

I'm Phil Mendelssohn, Chair of the Council and Chair of the Committee of the Whole.

0:47

At this committee of the whole meeting, there are five measures on the agenda for markup in the committee of the whole.

0:54

We'll see how we get through those.

0:56

And then there are roughly nine measures that came out of other committees that will go to the committee of the whole so that they can get on the legislative meeting agenda for today.

1:07

We begin our committee of the home meetings figuring out whether we have a majority of members present.

1:12

Mr.

1:12

Stone, would you call the roll?

1:14

Chairman Mendelssohn.

1:15

Present.

1:16

Councilmember Allen.

1:17

Here.

1:18

Councilmember Bonds.

1:19

Here.

1:20

Councilmember Crawford?

1:21

Here.

1:22

Councilmember Felder.

1:25

Councilmember Felder.

1:28

Councilmember Fruman?

1:29

Present.

1:30

Councilmember Henderson.

1:31

Here.

1:32

Councilmember Lewis George?

1:33

Here.

1:34

Councilmember Nadeau.

1:36

Here.

1:37

Councilmember Parker.

1:39

Councilmember Parker.

1:41

Councilmember Pinto.

1:44

Councilmember Pinto.

1:46

Councilmember Robert White.

1:47

Present.

1:48

Councilmember Trayon White.

1:50

Present.

1:50

Mr.

1:50

Chairman, you have a quorum.

1:52

Thank you.

1:55

The first measure for markup in the committee of the whole is Bill 26-57 entitled Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act of 2026.

2:05

This bill 26-57 was introduced on January 13th by me.

2:12

It was a reintroduction from last council period.

2:15

The bill would increase the mandatory minimum motor vehicle insurance requirements for bodily injury, liability, property damage liability, and third-party liability coverage.

2:26

These requirements were last updated 40 years ago.

2:30

That is, they were last updated in 1986.

2:33

The new requirements are largely identical to Virginia.

2:38

Bill 26-57 also would require insurers to provide enhanced underinsured motor vehicle coverage under a passenger vehicle liability insurance policy, which an insured may choose to opt out of.

2:52

Last, the bill would increase the mandatory minimum motor vehicle insurance requirements for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and third-party liability coverage by a set increment for each classification beginning on January 1st, 2037, and on January 1st, every 10 years thereafter.

3:10

I want to stress before I read further from the report, we have looked closely at our neighboring states, and where we are with this bill would put us the same as where Virginia is and has been for a couple of years.

3:25

And also again emphasize that it's been a long time since these mandatory minimum insurance requirements were updated.

3:33

The district's current motor vehicle insurance minimum statute is almost 40 years old.

3:37

It was last updated in March 1986.

3:42

According to a study conducted by the Hertz Corporation, the average cost of a new car ranged from 10,400 to 12,700.

3:53

As of early 2026, according to Cox Automotive, uh estimates of the average cost of a new vehicle as $49,300.

4:05

Just as the cost of motor vehicles has risen exponentially over the last 40 years, so too has the cost of maintaining and repairing those vehicles, as well as the cost associated with, unfortunately, the harm those vehicles can cause, including medical insurance premiums and hospital emergency room bills.

4:22

I believe I saw a statistic that because the cost of new cars is so much higher today, something like uh 20 percent of all um vehicle accidents result in a car being totaled.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homeownership██████████████████████████26%
Motor Vehicle Insurance█████████████████████████25%
Housing████████████████16%
Procedural██████████████14%
Personnel Matters████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Public Safety███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Economic Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

DC Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Council of the District of Columbia held an additional Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 12:43 PM in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. Chaired by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, the meeting addressed five measures for markup and several items from other committees. Key topics included increasing mandatory minimum motor vehicle insurance requirements, confirming Anthony Hood to the Zoning Commission, strengthening consumer protections, supporting nonprofit organizations, and providing relief to former homeowners of the River East at Grandview condominiums.

Consent Calendar

  • The following measures were placed on the consent calendar for the subsequent legislative meeting:
    • Bill 26-174: Enhancing Consumer Protection Procedures Amendment Act of 2026 (from Committee on Public Works and Operations)
    • Bill 26-249: Nonprofit Services Preservation Amendment Act of 2026 (from Committee on Public Works and Operations)
    • PR 26-537, PR 26-538, PR 26-540, PR 26-542, PR 26-543: Confirmations of five nominees to the District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (from Committee on Housing)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public testimony was taken during this committee markup meeting; testimony had been taken at prior hearings on the bills.

Discussion Items

Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act of 2026 (Bill 26-57)

  • Chairman Mendelson introduced the bill, noting that mandatory minimum motor vehicle insurance requirements had not been updated since 1986. The bill would increase minimum coverage limits for bodily injury, property damage, and third-party liability to levels matching Virginia and North Carolina. It also requires insurers to offer enhanced underinsured motorist (EUIM) coverage, with an opt-out for consumers. An oral amendment changed the date of the first inflationary adjustment from January 1, 2029, to January 1, 2037.
  • Councilmember Trayon White expressed concern about affordability for low-income and working-class residents, noting DC's high insurance premiums and high uninsured driver rate. He cited a racial equity impact analysis indicating Black drivers pay higher rates. He also questioned the lack of a gradual phase-in.
  • Chairman Mendelson responded that the bill is a consumer protection measure, that many states have raised minimums without causing large premium spikes, and that the implementation date is October 1, 2027, providing over a year for adjustment.
  • Councilmember Henderson asked about phased increases, noting neighboring jurisdictions phased in changes. Chairman Mendelson said the bill catches up after 40 years, but offered to discuss further between first and second reading.
  • Councilmember Crawford supported the bill, noting it had not been updated in 40 years.

Anthony Hood Zoning Commission Confirmation (PR 26-567)

  • Chairman Mendelson presented the resolution to confirm Anthony Hood for reappointment as a member of the Zoning Commission, highlighting his decades of service, leadership on zoning modernization, and focus on equity and community engagement.
  • Councilmember Parker supported the nomination, noting Hood had won over initial detractors and emphasizing the need for a more serious equity framework at the commission.
  • Councilmembers Nadeau, Pinto, Bonds, Trayon White, and Felder all spoke in support, citing Hood's balanced approach, transparency, and commitment to community engagement.

Enhancing Consumer Protection Procedures Amendment Act of 2026 (Bill 26-174)

  • Councilmember Nadeau explained the bill expands enforcement tools for the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) against bad actors, including authority to close businesses posing health and safety threats. It also adds new prohibitions against abusive conduct, hidden fees, and fraudulent business ownership disclosures, and updates definitions to cover free services (e.g., social media) and charitable solicitations.
  • Councilmember Parker raised concerns about DLCP's historical reluctance to enforce existing powers. Councilmember Nadeau responded that the bill provides stronger tools to compel compliance.
  • Councilmember Lewis George supported the bill, citing enforcement gaps with tobacco shops and illegal auto repair operations.

Nonprofit Services Preservation Amendment Act of 2026 (Bill 26-249)

  • Councilmember Nadeau said the bill clarifies and updates the Nonprofit Fair Compensation Act of 2020 to ensure nonprofits are reimbursed for indirect costs, raising the minimum indirect cost rate from 10% to 15% to match the federal rate. It also establishes a nonprofit relief grant program to cover funding gaps.
  • Councilmember Crawford noted the fiscal impact statement estimates $6.9 million in FY27 and $70.2 million across the financial plan, and asked about feasibility. Councilmember Nadeau said the bill reflects actual costs and called it an honest assessment, though full funding may not be found this year.

DCHA Board of Commissioners Confirmations (PR 26-537, PR 26-538, PR 26-540, PR 26-542, PR 26-543)

  • Councilmember Robert White presented five nominees for the permanent DCHA Board of Commissioners, emphasizing the transition from the temporary Stabilization and Reform Board. The nominees were Christopher Murphy, Denise Blackson, LeRoy Clay III, Raymond Skinner, and Teresa Silla. Councilmember White stressed the need for urgency and accountability.
  • No further debate was held; the measures were placed on the consent agenda.

River East at Grandview Home Ownership Relief and Restoration Amendment Act of 2026 (Bill 26-545)

  • Councilmember Robert White presented the bill to assist 46 families who lost their homes at River East at Grandview due to structural failures. The bill allows HPAP (Home Purchase Assistance Program) funds to be used as grants rather than loans for those repurchasing homes, converts existing HPAP loans to grants for those who already bought, provides limited support for those who bought without HPAP, and reduces the affordability covenant for inclusionary zoning units to 15 years. The authorization would expire in 2032.
  • Councilmember Henderson asked whether the bill only helps those pursuing homeownership. Councilmember White confirmed it only applies to those who purchase or have purchased a home before 2032.
  • Councilmember Bonds asked about total costs: the maximum total HPAP grant conversion would be about $2.6–$2.7 million if all remaining households apply. She also noted over $7 million in assistance already provided, including $4.2 million in rental assistance, $1.8 million in previous HPAP loans, and $602,000 in direct aid.
  • Councilmember Parker expressed concern about a uniform benefit versus individualized assistance, and noted that giving these families priority for HPAP could monopolize the program. Councilmember White replied that the bill does not change their priority status, but the maximum impact would be $2.7 million of the $27 million HPAP program. He said he tried uniform benefits last year but this was the best achievable.
  • Councilmember Crawford asked whether the executive has a plan to prevent similar failures. Councilmember White said he is not optimistic and has seen no such plan.
  • Councilmember Trayon White asked about prior assistance: rental assistance, forgiveness of previous HPAP loans, moving assistance, and negotiation with lenders to cancel mortgages for most owners. Councilmember White confirmed all these steps had been taken.

Key Outcomes

  • Bill 26-57 (Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act): Passed out of committee on a vote of ayes with only Councilmember Trayon White voting no. The bill will be treated as non-consent at the legislative meeting.
  • PR 26-567 (Anthony Hood Zoning Commission Confirmation): Approved unanimously and placed on the consent agenda.
  • Bill 26-174 (Consumer Protection): Approved and placed on the consent agenda.
  • Bill 26-249 (Nonprofit Services Preservation): Approved and placed on the consent agenda.
  • Five DCHA Board Confirmations (PR 26-537, PR 26-538, PR 26-540, PR 26-542, PR 26-543): Approved and placed on the consent agenda.
  • Bill 26-545 (River East at Grandview Relief): Approved and placed on the consent agenda (moved by Chairman Mendelson after discussion).

Meeting Transcript

I'm calling to order this meeting. This is an additional meeting of the committee of the whole of the Council of the District of Columbia. We will have a legislative meeting today, our regular legislative meeting for the first Tuesday of the month of May. But we are having an additional meeting of the committee of the whole first. And uh I will note that uh today is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. The time is 1243 in the afternoon. We are in room 500 of the council chambers of the Johnny Wilson Building. I'm Phil Mendelssohn, Chair of the Council and Chair of the Committee of the Whole. At this committee of the whole meeting, there are five measures on the agenda for markup in the committee of the whole. We'll see how we get through those. And then there are roughly nine measures that came out of other committees that will go to the committee of the whole so that they can get on the legislative meeting agenda for today. We begin our committee of the home meetings figuring out whether we have a majority of members present. Mr. Stone, would you call the roll? Chairman Mendelssohn. Present. Councilmember Allen. Here. Councilmember Bonds. Here. Councilmember Crawford? Here. Councilmember Felder. Councilmember Felder. Councilmember Fruman? Present. Councilmember Henderson. Here. Councilmember Lewis George? Here. Councilmember Nadeau. Here. Councilmember Parker. Councilmember Parker. Councilmember Pinto. Councilmember Pinto. Councilmember Robert White. Present. Councilmember Trayon White. Present. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you. The first measure for markup in the committee of the whole is Bill 26-57 entitled Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act of 2026. This bill 26-57 was introduced on January 13th by me. It was a reintroduction from last council period. The bill would increase the mandatory minimum motor vehicle insurance requirements for bodily injury, liability, property damage liability, and third-party liability coverage. These requirements were last updated 40 years ago. That is, they were last updated in 1986. The new requirements are largely identical to Virginia.

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