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Record of Proceedings

Public Hearing on Commanders License Plates and Eric's ID Act - June 4, 2026

Council of the District of Columbia — Thursday, June 4, 2026
BodyWashington, District Of Columbia
SessionCouncil of the District of Columbia
DateThursday, June 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:42:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:08

Good morning everyone.

0:11

My name's Charles Allen.

0:12

I'm the Ward 6 Council Member and Chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment.

0:16

Today is Thursday, June 4th, 2026, and we're meeting in room 120 of the John A.

0:22

Wilson Building via as well as over the Zoom virtual platform.

0:25

The time is now 9 41 a.m.

0:27

and I'm calling to order this public hearing of the committee.

0:30

The first of two hearings today for the committee.

0:33

During today's first public hearing, we're going to be hearing from public and government witnesses on two proposed bills.

0:39

Bill 26-548, which is the Washington Commanders Motor Vehicle Identification Tags Amendment Act of 2025, and Bill 26-619, the Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026.

0:51

First, Bill 26-548, the Washington Commanders' Motor Vehicle Identification Tag Amendment Act of 2025 would authorize the mayor to design and issue motor vehicle identification tags, more commonly referred to as license plates, that demonstrate support for the return of the Washington Commanders football team to the district.

1:07

It also directs that the proceeds be used to support the state athletic activities, programs, and office fund.

1:12

Bill 26-619 is Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026, which would allow applicants for a license, permit, or identification card to choose to indicate on the document the applicant's non-apparent disability, which the bill would define as a disability or health condition that is not immediately obvious or visible, including developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and immunodeficiency conditions.

1:34

This is modeled after a similar bill that was passed in the state of Maryland.

1:37

And today we'll be joined by some of the elected officials who had a role in passing that law there, as well as by Eric Carpenter Grantham, the gentleman after whom the Maryland law and its DC counterpart was named.

1:47

With that, a couple of quick comments and housekeeping on the format for today's hearing.

1:51

If we have ANC commissioners testifying or members of the State Board of Education, they'll each have five minutes to testify.

1:58

Public witnesses testifying on behalf of an organization will also have five minutes.

2:02

Those testifying on their own behalf will have three minutes.

2:05

If multiple witnesses are testifying on behalf of the same organization, only one witness has the full five minutes, the others have three.

2:11

We'll be using a timer to help us all stay on schedule.

2:13

And for witnesses testifying in person, what I'll do is call your name.

2:16

We have four seats at the table, so I'll block folks off, usually about four at a time.

2:20

If you'll come up to the table to provide your testimony, after you're done, please stay at the table so we can come back and ask some questions after that.

2:27

If you are in Zoom, we will promote you to a panelist, have your testimony, and then also please stay on the Zoom so that we can turn and ask questions as well.

2:35

For anyone who's interested in submitting testimony for the record, the committee will accept written testimony through the council's hearing management system at LIMS.dccouncil.gov backslash hearings.

2:44

And the record for the hearings today close on June 18th, 2026.

2:49

So with that, let me turn to the first panel of witnesses.

2:54

And I have five names, so and four chairs.

2:56

So we're going to figure this one out.

2:58

Uh first I have Dr.

2:59

Jacques Patterson, who is with us from the DC State Board of Education, who's an at-large representative, Dr.

3:04

Patterson come on up.

3:05

Ebony Rose Thompson, who is our Ward 7 representative on the DC State Board of Education.

3:09

I know that she is here.

3:11

We have the Honorable Karen Tolls, Maryland State Delegate for District 25 of Prince George's County.

3:19

Thank you very much.

3:21

The Honorable Kyla Clark, the Ward 2 Councilmember from the City of Laurel, Maryland.

3:26

And the honorable Kim Taylor, Maryland State Delegate for District 23 in Prince George's County.

3:34

Excellent.

3:35

Alright, we can uh for the record in case anybody didn't hear that on the mic, uh two of our witnesses are just running a little behind with some traffic.

3:41

That's okay.

3:42

Um we'll go ahead and start with this panel and then we'll invite those delegates to come testify on the next panel uh when we move to that.

3:49

So, how about uh Dr.

3:50

Patterson?

3:51

I will turn to you.

3:52

Good morning to you, and thank you for being here.

3:54

Good morning, thank you.

3:55

Uh, Chairman Allen, members of the committee and staff.

3:59

My name is Dr.

4:00

Jacques Patterson.

4:01

I am the president and the at-large representative on the DC State Board of Education.

4:05

I am pleased to present this testimony on behalf of the state board in support of Bill 26-0619, the Eric ID's Amendment Act of 2026.

4:16

As the only elected body with an exclusive focus on public education, the state board prides itself on advocacy driven by community voice.

4:24

Eric Carpenter Grantham and his mother Linda are prime examples of community members whose advocacy has resulted in impactful policies.

4:33

In March 2026, they both testified at the state board's public meeting to express why legislation is needed to ensure proper protection and safeguards for individuals with non-apparent disabilities, and they have our full support.

4:47

The state board's state resolution elevates and spur policy actions on the topics brought to us by students, parents, educators, and additional community members.

4:57

We produced and unanimously passed SR 26-8 supporting the passage of Eric ID Amendment Act of 2026 in response to public witness testimony and feedback from the community, including our student advocacy committee.

5:12

The legislation aligns with the state board's priority to ensure safety and support of all students, including more supportive environments for students with disabilities both within and outside of school settings.

5:24

We know that a simple visual indicator on a person's driver's license helps to drive interactions from misunderstanding to compassion, reduce escalation, and increases safety for those who have non-apparent disabilities.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Disability Rights█████████████████████████████████████████████72%
Miscellaneous███████████17%
Public Safety████6%
Procedural██3%
Youth Programs█1%
Community Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Public Hearing on Washington Commanders License Plates and Eric's ID Amendment Act - June 4, 2026

On June 4, 2026, the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), held a public hearing in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building to consider two bills: Bill 26-548 (Washington Commanders Motor Vehicle Identification Tags Amendment Act of 2025) and Bill 26-619 (Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026). The hearing lasted from 9:41 a.m. to 12:23 p.m. and included testimony from 24 public witnesses in support of the Eric's ID bill and no witnesses for the Commanders plate. The DMV Director also testified.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Jacques Patterson (President, DC State Board of Education) testified in support of Eric's ID, noting the board unanimously passed resolution SR 26-8 recommending amendments to include DC1 cards and student IDs, and funding for law enforcement training.
  • Ebony Rose Thompson (Ward 7, DC State Board of Education) shared a personal connection (her sister with hidden disabilities) and cited statistics: people with disabilities make up 20% of the U.S. population but account for 30-50% of police use-of-force incidents; 55% of Black people with disabilities have been arrested by age 28. She urged extending the indicator to DC1 cards.
  • Councilmember Kyla Clark (Laurel, MD) strongly supported the bill, noting 77,200 DC residents have disabilities and that Maryland’s law passed in September 2025 with no additional costs to the city. She emphasized the butterfly symbol as a voluntary, no-fee tool.
  • Delegate Kim Taylor (Maryland District 23) reported that over 21,000 Marylanders (later updated to 22,078 by Linda Carpenter Grantham) have added the butterfly to their IDs since October 1, 2025. She advised addressing potential privacy concerns and ensuring thorough training for law enforcement.
  • Linda Carpenter Grantham (mother of Eric) described the origin of the idea after George Floyd’s murder and noted the Maryland law was signed by Governor Wes Moore with bipartisan support.
  • Eric Carpenter Grantham (founder of Eric’s ID Law), a 21-year-old with autism, testified about the spiritual meaning of the butterfly symbol (hope, peace, freedom, change) and urged the committee to issue a favorable report.
  • Terrence King (CEO, National Children’s Center) supported the bill, stating it provides a voice for individuals who cannot fully self-advocate.
  • Tamara Holmes (public witness) shared personal and family experiences with hidden disabilities, including her daughter’s ADHD and developmental delays, and urged passage for safety.
  • Yovanda Wilkins (public witness) emphasized the bill’s role in fostering trust between law enforcement and the disability community.
  • Kimberly Bodie (public witness, living with lupus and other autoimmune diseases) testified about sensory sensitivities that could be misinterpreted during police stops.
  • Antoine Marshall (CWA local president) supported the law to prevent misunderstandings during stressful situations.
  • Lisa Haynes (General Vice President, Washington Teachers Union) urged passage to protect students with invisible disabilities.
  • Kirk Spells (parent of a 19-year-old with multiple disorders) noted his son is among the 22,000 Marylanders with the butterfly and praised MPD’s handling of a missing person incident.
  • Camden Cole (junior at Edmund Burke School) supported the law as a new driver to ensure safety for friends with non-apparent disabilities.
  • Patricia Stamper (Ward 7 resident) supported the law, noting barriers people with hidden disabilities face in obtaining ID and accessing services.
  • Navee Williams (10th grader at Anacostia High School) testified that the symbol can help officers understand behaviors like avoiding eye contact.
  • Tanae Dolphin (mother and Jack & Jill member) shared the fear of her son with autism being misunderstood by police.
  • Jade Moore (reading for daughter Saniah Bradley) highlighted that individuals with mental illness are seven times more likely to be killed by police, urging mandatory training.
  • Savannah Mitchell (8-year-old Jack & Jill member) simply explained the butterfly as a friendly reminder for patience.
  • Delegate Karen Tolls (Maryland District 25) advised working with the disability community, law enforcement, and the agency (MVA), and noted initial pushback from some disability advocates that was overcome by the voluntary, silent nature of the notation.
  • Mr. Jackson (public witness) testified about his own bill for free driving lessons, but acknowledged Eric’s success.

Discussion Items

  • Councilmember Allen and Councilmember Parker (co-introducer) asked multiple witnesses about training costs, the symbol choice, and operational mechanics. Delegate Taylor and Councilmember Clark confirmed that adding training to existing curricula did not incur significant costs.
  • The State Board recommended extending the indicator to DC1 cards and student IDs so young people without driver’s licenses can opt in.
  • The symbol debate: The Maryland law uses a black butterfly. Eric explained the butterfly represents hope, peace, freedom, and change, with wing colors representing different hidden disabilities.
  • Director Gabriel Robinson (DC DMV) testified in strong support of both bills. For the Commanders plate, he noted the process would follow other team plates (Mystics, Wizards, Nationals) and take 3-6 months after design consensus. For Eric’s ID, he said the DMV already offers four specific disability indicators (on the back of the credential) and highlighted that Eric’s ID would be a front-facing butterfly, simpler than the current system. He recommended removing the requirement for written explanation on the back (matching Maryland’s design). He confirmed no medical documentation or fee is required to add the butterfly, though a duplicate ID fee may apply for current holders.
  • Councilmember Allen discussed the Purple Heart plate timeline, aiming for August 7, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • The committee heard 24 public witnesses and one government witness (DMV Director). No votes were taken; the hearing was for testimony only.
  • Councilmember Allen noted that Eric’s ID had 24 witnesses compared to none for the Commanders plate, signaling strong public interest.
  • The record for the hearing will close on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at LIMS.dccouncil.gov/backslash/hearings.
  • The next scheduled meeting of the committee immediately followed at 12:23 p.m. for two other bills.
  • Councilmember Parker formally requested that the State Board’s resolution SR 26-8 be incorporated into the committee print.
  • Director Robinson made a specific legislative recommendation: strike the line requiring a written notation on the back of the credential to keep the butterfly as the sole indicator.
  • The committee will consider amendments, including extending the indicator to DC1 cards and student IDs, and ensuring MPD training on the symbol.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning everyone. My name's Charles Allen. I'm the Ward 6 Council Member and Chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Today is Thursday, June 4th, 2026, and we're meeting in room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building via as well as over the Zoom virtual platform. The time is now 9 41 a.m. and I'm calling to order this public hearing of the committee. The first of two hearings today for the committee. During today's first public hearing, we're going to be hearing from public and government witnesses on two proposed bills. Bill 26-548, which is the Washington Commanders Motor Vehicle Identification Tags Amendment Act of 2025, and Bill 26-619, the Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026. First, Bill 26-548, the Washington Commanders' Motor Vehicle Identification Tag Amendment Act of 2025 would authorize the mayor to design and issue motor vehicle identification tags, more commonly referred to as license plates, that demonstrate support for the return of the Washington Commanders football team to the district. It also directs that the proceeds be used to support the state athletic activities, programs, and office fund. Bill 26-619 is Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026, which would allow applicants for a license, permit, or identification card to choose to indicate on the document the applicant's non-apparent disability, which the bill would define as a disability or health condition that is not immediately obvious or visible, including developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and immunodeficiency conditions. This is modeled after a similar bill that was passed in the state of Maryland. And today we'll be joined by some of the elected officials who had a role in passing that law there, as well as by Eric Carpenter Grantham, the gentleman after whom the Maryland law and its DC counterpart was named. With that, a couple of quick comments and housekeeping on the format for today's hearing. If we have ANC commissioners testifying or members of the State Board of Education, they'll each have five minutes to testify. Public witnesses testifying on behalf of an organization will also have five minutes. Those testifying on their own behalf will have three minutes. If multiple witnesses are testifying on behalf of the same organization, only one witness has the full five minutes, the others have three. We'll be using a timer to help us all stay on schedule. And for witnesses testifying in person, what I'll do is call your name. We have four seats at the table, so I'll block folks off, usually about four at a time. If you'll come up to the table to provide your testimony, after you're done, please stay at the table so we can come back and ask some questions after that. If you are in Zoom, we will promote you to a panelist, have your testimony, and then also please stay on the Zoom so that we can turn and ask questions as well. For anyone who's interested in submitting testimony for the record, the committee will accept written testimony through the council's hearing management system at LIMS.dccouncil.gov backslash hearings. And the record for the hearings today close on June 18th, 2026. So with that, let me turn to the first panel of witnesses. And I have five names, so and four chairs. So we're going to figure this one out. Uh first I have Dr. Jacques Patterson, who is with us from the DC State Board of Education, who's an at-large representative, Dr. Patterson come on up. Ebony Rose Thompson, who is our Ward 7 representative on the DC State Board of Education. I know that she is here. We have the Honorable Karen Tolls, Maryland State Delegate for District 25 of Prince George's County. Thank you very much. The Honorable Kyla Clark, the Ward 2 Councilmember from the City of Laurel, Maryland. And the honorable Kim Taylor, Maryland State Delegate for District 23 in Prince George's County. Excellent. Alright, we can uh for the record in case anybody didn't hear that on the mic, uh two of our witnesses are just running a little behind with some traffic. That's okay. Um we'll go ahead and start with this panel and then we'll invite those delegates to come testify on the next panel uh when we move to that. So, how about uh Dr. Patterson? I will turn to you. Good morning to you, and thank you for being here. Good morning, thank you. Uh, Chairman Allen, members of the committee and staff. My name is Dr.

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