Public Meetings - Washington, District Of Columbia

An additional meeting of the Council of the District of Columbia was called on April 7, 2026, for the single purpose of amending the Council Period 26 rules to permit the filing of the mayor's proposed budget during the upcoming spring recess. The meeting was chaired by Phil Mendelson and began at 11:51 AM, with a quorum present. Discussion Items - Council Period 26 Recess Rules Amendment Resolution of 2026: Chairman Mendelson explained that the resolution was necessary because the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) confirmed on April 1 that the mayor's proposed FY2026 supplemental and FY2027 budget and financial plan had been completed on March 31, triggering a 10-day review period. The budget is scheduled to be transmitted to the council on Tuesday, April 14, which falls during the council's spring recess. The rules amendment allows this transmission during the recess without specifying a date, and the chairman noted the need to also include the emergency version of the local budget act. General Counsel was given leave to make technical changes to ensure the resolution covers all relevant budget legislation. Key Outcomes - The Council voted unanimously to approve the resolution, with leave for General Counsel to incorporate all required budget measures. The meeting adjourned at 11:58 AM.

On Monday, April 6, 2026, at 12:19 PM, the Committee of the Whole of the Council of the District of Columbia, chaired by Phil Mendelson, held a public hearing on Bill 26-627. The bill aims to align the frequency of District government contributions to employee benefit funds (OPEB, retirement plans, and the 401A plan) with revenue collection timing by shifting from lump-sum annual payments to bi-monthly payments, thereby improving cash flow management. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public testified. Only government officials and the DCRB provided testimony. Discussion Items - Testimony from the D.C. Retirement Board (DCRB): Daniel Hernandez (Pension Administrator), with actuary Tim Vincente from Bolton Partners, presented preliminary analysis. Vincente reported that a survey of 19 local employers found 11 used a single annual payment and 7 used periodic payments. He outlined pros and cons of the bill: - Negatives: Slower contributions reduce investment returns; a 10-year projection estimated an additional $24 million in cumulative District contributions by 2036, with the actuarially determined contribution (ADC) 1.8% higher than under current law. - Positives: Helps the District manage cash flow, reduces market-timing risk (spreading investments over 24 dates vs. one), and assists the pension fund (which is cash-flow negative) by providing periodic cash for benefit payments. - Suggestions: Consider a sunset provision, specify that payments be one‑twenty‑fourth of the annual amount, and change payment dates from the 15th and last day of the month to the 1st and 15th to allow more time to resolve discrepancies. - Testimony from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO): CFO Glenn Lee and Deputy CFO/Treasurer Carmen Figler testified in support. Lee explained that the District's cash flow is strained because lump-sum payments of about $300 million at the start of the fiscal year coincide with low revenue collections (property taxes received in March and September; income taxes concentrated in April). The bill would replace the single annual payment with bi-monthly payments of roughly $13 million. Lee noted that the District has $1.7 billion in accumulated prior-year surpluses being drawn down, reducing the cash buffer. He outlined three additional cash‑smoothing strategies under consideration: adjusting WMATA capital payments from quarterly to monthly, exploring school funding payment timing, and evaluating more strategic bill payment timing (paying just before deadlines). Regarding real property tax payments, Lee said a shift to quarterly collections could help long‑term but presents a complex transition issue—potentially resulting in nearly $1 billion less revenue in the transition year—and would likely not be feasible before fiscal year 2029. OCFO will submit a fiscal impact statement and a multi‑year cash flow projection through the financial plan period. - Questions and clarifications: Chairman Mendelson asked about implementation timelines. Figler confirmed that OPEB and retirement board changes could be implemented for fiscal year 2027. The 401A plan already operates on a per‑pay‑period basis, so the bill would merely codify current practice. Mendelson questioned the cost comparison: OCFO estimated $16 million in interest savings through 2030 from retaining cash, which partially offsets the actuary's $24 million additional cost over 10 years. Lee acknowledged that over time the increased retirement contributions would largely offset the interest gains, leaving the primary benefit as improved liquidity. Key Outcomes - Record Open: Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026. - Next Steps: DCRB will submit a formal report by April 20th with detailed financial projections. OCFO will provide a multi‑year cash flow analysis and a fiscal impact statement for the record. - Implementation: If enacted with the FY2027 budget, OPEB and retirement board changes can take effect in FY2027. The 401A plan change is administrative only (already current practice). Property tax billing changes are deferred for further study and unlikely before FY2029. - No Vote Taken: The hearing was for testimony only; no votes or final decisions were made.

Councilmember Christina Henderson convened a public oversight roundtable on April 6, 2026, to examine Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center's operations, contractual and regulatory compliance, and community impact. The committee heard from community physicians, the hospital board, UHS, GW Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University, and district regulators. The hospital, which opened in April 2025, has faced challenges including staffing shortages, long ambulance wait times, financial losses ($54–60 million in its first year), and an immediate jeopardy citation (lifted the next day). Discussion focused on community physician credentialing, board governance, emergency department performance, and the status of promised outpatient services and residency programs. Public Comments & Testimony - Dr. Marilyn McPherson Corter, a former chief of staff at UMC and community pediatrician, testified that at least 12 community physicians have applied for privileges at Cedar Hill but have not heard back. She stated that the hospital's culture is not positive and that patients are reporting mistreatment. She urged the district to listen and partner with community doctors, and noted that rent for office space ($8,000/month) is drastically higher than at UMC ($2,000–$3,000). She also said some doctors have chosen not to apply due to the hospital's reputation. - Jaron Hill Lockridge, chair of the Ward 8 Health Council and a Cedar Hill board member, emphasized the need for clear pediatric healthcare integration with Children's National, and called for the board to have real governing authority (not merely advisory). She noted that the board has 13 seats, currently 11 filled, and meets quarterly. She said the board was not informed that it was advisory, and that the community advisory council has been sunset without a patient/family advisory council yet established. Discussion Items - Community Physician Credentialing: Dr. Corter reported that applications from community doctors often go unanswered, and some have been told to start over due to leadership changes. Interim CEO Kimberly Daniels acknowledged the issue and committed to proactively reaching out to applicants. - Board Governance: Councilmember Henderson noted the operations agreement specifies a "governing board," but UHS and Deputy Mayor Turnage stated it is advisory. Lockridge believed it was governing. Turnage argued that the majority of members are UHS appointees, making it advisory by industry practice. - Staffing and Operations: Cedar Hill has 574 FTEs against a budget of 634, with 67 RN vacancies filled by travel nurses. There are 90 other vacancies. The hospital operates 48 med-surg beds and 20 ICU beds. Average ED wait time to physician evaluation is 48 minutes (down from 88 minutes), and median total ED time is comparable to other DC hospitals. - Accreditation and Immediate Jeopardy: Cedar Hill achieved Joint Commission accreditation on September 4, 2025. An immediate jeopardy finding on February 23, 2026, related to surgical services was lifted the next day after corrective action. DC Health's Renata Cooper clarified that no federal immediate jeopardy citation has been issued. - Financial and Service Line Status: UHS reported $57.8 million of a $75 million investment commitment spent. Seven of 14 required outpatient service lines are operational; the remaining seven are expected by July 2026. The hospital lost $54–60 million in its first year. - Residency Program and Academic Partnerships: GW's Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt stated that development of a family medicine residency program is paused due to funding uncertainty. UHS confirmed the program is postponed but not canceled. GW also leads the Cedar Hill Alliance for Health Equity, which is ongoing. - Regulatory Oversight: Deputy Mayor Turnage presented data showing Cedar Hill had 20 full or partial hospital diversions (mostly due to ED crowding). DC Health has conducted 8 complaint surveys in 11 months (compared to 55 complaints at Washington Hospital Center). 76% of 38 complaints are resolved; the rest are pending final review from a February survey. Key Outcomes - Annual Compliance Report: UHS will submit its first annual quality and compliance report by the end of May 2026. The report will be made public and will be reviewed by the mayor, with an action plan to address any deficiencies. The report will include benchmarks against national data. - Leadership Timeline: UHS expects to have a permanent CEO for Cedar Hill within six months (by October 2026). - Outpatient Service Lines: UHS committed to opening the remaining seven outpatient service lines by July 1, 2026. If not met, the district will engage in significant discussions. - DC Health Follow-up: DC Health will finalize its review of the February 2026 survey corrective action plan within days to a week. Any outstanding issues will require a revised plan. - Community Engagement: UHS will convene a community advisory board and patient/family advisory committee in the coming months. A public relations and marketing campaign is rolling out in April 2026. - Accountability: Deputy Mayor Turnage stated that if UHS fails to meet obligations after the annual report, the mayor has enforcement mechanisms under the operations agreement, though no breach is currently contemplated. Councilmember Parker requested clear contingencies if thresholds are not met.

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 9:32 AM, the Committee on Health, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, convened in Room 412 of the Johnny Wilson Building and via Zoom to consider three nominees: Casey Martin (reappointment) to the Board of Funeral Directors, and Dr. Cami Cooper (reappointment) and Dr. Tyrus Ford (new appointment) to the Board of Nursing. The nominees testified and answered questions. The committee is scheduled to vote on the nominations the following week. Discussion Items - Board of Funeral Directors – Casey Martin (Reappointment): Ms. Martin, a funeral director since 2003 and the first female Muslim funeral director in the DMV, described her background managing a family-owned funeral home serving Muslim and Christian communities. Her priorities for the board include strengthening the district's burial assistance program, mentorship for young women, and upholding professional standards. In response to questions about a licensing reform bill that would split the funeral director and embalmer licenses, Ms. Martin indicated she values a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the profession, especially for business owners. She praised the Maryland board’s practice of having an attorney on hand. Discussing the trend of retirement among funeral directors, she cited modest salaries and lack of benefits at independent homes, and suggested that including funeral directors in career fairs could attract younger entrants. - Board of Nursing – Dr. Cami Cooper (Reappointment): Dr. Cooper, an active-duty officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Corps and psychiatric nurse practitioner, emphasized her focus on mental health and her role as chair of the board's discipline committee. She noted that her professional experience informs a compassionate approach to disciplinary matters, focusing on wellness and standards. For her next term, she hopes to establish more stable common practices and foster innovation to stay ahead of trends. A discrepancy in her biographical summary (University of Cincinnati vs. Hampton University) was clarified: Dr. Cooper confirmed she attended Hampton University. - Board of Nursing – Dr. Tyrus Ford (New Appointment): Dr. Ford, a family nurse practitioner and HIV specialist, shared that he was recruited and applied for the vacancy. His priorities include elevating HIV care as a core nursing competency, promoting health equity, and integrating mental health into nursing practice. He highlighted DC’s milestone of the lowest number of new HIV cases and the need to destigmatize HIV care. Regarding his certifications, Dr. Ford noted that his ANCC and HIV specialist certifications are in renewal and should be finalized by April 28, 2026, and that the HIV specialist exam is offered only once per year in September. He affirmed his commitment to board service. Key Outcomes - The committee will consider and vote on the nominations at its next business meeting (scheduled for April 6, 2026, at 9:00 AM). - Chair Henderson confirmed attendance records for the reappointments and received verbal commitments from all three nominees to fulfill their duties. - The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 AM.

The Council of the District of Columbia held its regular monthly legislative meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 2:17 PM in Room 500 of the Council Chambers of the Johnny Wilson Building. Chair Phil Mendelson presided. The meeting was broadcast on cable channel 13 and the council's website. A quorum was present (13 members). The meeting included a moment of silence, roll call, and consideration of consent agenda, non-consent agenda, emergency and temporary legislation, and a veto override. Consent Calendar - The reading of the Secretary's Report of Committee Filings and Secretary's Report of Introductions and Referrals were waived unanimously. - Several items were removed from the consent agenda: Bill 26-173 (Architect and Engineer Good Samaritan Amendment Act) for amendment, Bill 26-308 (Promoting Parental Engagement at DYRS Amendment Act) and Bill 26-365 (Jules Way Designation Act) and Lenora Baker Way Designation Act (prints not engrossed), Bill 26-221 (Mu Lambda Foundation Real Property Tax Exemption Act) for recusal, and PR 26-549 (Barbara Jones nomination) for comments. - The consent agenda as amended passed unanimously. - Bill 26-173 was amended to include land surveyors and passed unanimously. - Bills 26-308 and 26-365 were postponed to the next legislative meeting. - Bill 26-221 (Mu Lambda Foundation) passed unanimously with Councilmember Parker recused. - PR 26-549 (confirmation of Barbara Jones to the DC State Athletics Commission) passed unanimously after supportive remarks from Councilmembers Trayon White, Robert White, and Anita Bonds. Discussion Items - Bill 26-125 (Connecticut Ave and Kansas Ave Tax Forgiveness): Passed unanimously. Extends recertification deadlines and forgives taxes for two nonprofit workforce housing properties owned by SOMOS. - Bill 26-371 (Alley Closing in Square 2319): Initially passed, but Councilmember Lewis George moved to reconsider and offered an amendment requiring fair market value payment for the alley. Chairman Mendelson opposed, arguing the alley is only 4 feet wide and the $40,000 payment would be impractical. The bill was postponed to the next meeting after the chairman's motion. - Bill 26-408 (Promoting Parental Engagement at DYRS): Passed unanimously with an amendment (co-sponsored by Councilmembers Bonds and Pinto) requiring DYRS to notify parents of placement changes and medical emergencies, and make logs available to parents and council. Emergency Legislation - PR 26-585 & Bill 26-634 (Arena Safety Conformity): Passed unanimously. Extends prohibition on unauthorized entry onto playing surfaces to Capital One Arena and Care First Arena, with a $300 fine. - PR 26-583 & Bill 26-630 (Rate Plan Vacatur Interim Protections): High-profile debate on PEPCO rate increases. The court vacated the PSC's multi-year rate plan. The emergency declaration passed 9-4 (yes: Allen, Trayon White, Freuman, Henderson, Lewis George, Nadeau, Parker, Pinto, Robert White; no: Bonds, Crawford, Felder, Mendelson). The underlying bill was amended by Councilmember Allen to limit disconnection protections to households with arrears over $1,000. The bill as amended passed 8-5 (yes: Allen, Bonds, Lewis George, Nadeau, Parker, Pinto, Robert White, Trayon White; no: Crawford, Felder, Freuman, Henderson, Mendelson). The temporary bill (26-631) failed 7-7 (7 noes: Pinto, Crawford, Felder, Bonds, Henderson, Freuman, Mendelson), leaving the emergency in effect for 90 days. - PR 26-589 (DC Water Nomination): Withdrawn after nominee Vince McConey withdrew. - PR 26-564 & Bill 26-620 (Nationals Ballpark Lease): Passed unanimously. Approves an amended lease extending the Nationals' stay through at least the 2058 season, with dedicated funding for stadium maintenance. An amendment in the nature of a substitute was accepted. - Juvenile Curfew Sunset Emergency: Councilmember Pinto proposed extending the juvenile curfew through September 25, 2026. A motion to postpone to the next legislative meeting passed 9-4 (yes: Allen, Crawford, Felder, Freuman, Henderson, Mendelson, Nadeau, Parker, Robert White; no: Bonds, Lewis George, Pinto, Trayon White). The measure was postponed. - PR 26-587 (HME Inc. Fire Engines Contract Disapproval): Passed unanimously. Councilmember Pinto raised concerns about the contract's cooperative agreement process, first-time vendor, and poor quality reported by Detroit. The disapproval resolution passed. - PR 26-584 & Bill 26-632 (Open Meetings Clarification): Passed with Councilmember Lewis George voting no on the declaration. The underlying bill extends the status quo on open meetings exemptions and disclosure requirements for boards and commissions through October 17, 2026. Councilmember Henderson voted present, and Councilmembers Allen, Lewis George, and Trayon White voted no. Chairman Mendelson committed to moving permanent bills before the recess. Temporary Legislation - Arena Safety Conformity Temporary: Passed unanimously. - Rate Plan Vacatur Temporary: Failed 7-7 (as detailed above). - Open Meetings Clarification Temporary: Passed with Councilmembers Allen, Lewis George, and Trayon White voting no, and Councilmembers Henderson and Parker voting present. - Supporting Local Business Enterprises Emergency: Postponed to the next meeting. Key Outcomes - Veto Override: Bill 26-614 (Full Accountability and Arrest Reporting Emergency Amendment Act) was passed unanimously after a motion to override the mayor's veto. The bill requires MPD to document federal officers present during arrests involving force, to the extent known at the time. Councilmember Robert White noted the bill originated from an incident where federal officers shot at three Black men (Philip Brown, Julian Bailey, Justin Nelson). - Next Meeting: The next legislative meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 4:11 PM.

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.

Chairman Phil Mendelson held a press conference on March 30, 2026, to outline the upcoming legislative meeting scheduled for March 31, 2026. He discussed a wide range of agenda items, including building code changes, motor vehicle insurance updates, school funding, juvenile curfew extension, a veto override on ICE legislation, and several other measures. The Chairman also took questions from reporters on topics such as the single stair building code, the White House ballroom, Commander's stadium parking garages, a potential business activity tax, budget delays, and the impending shutdown of the DC streetcar. Consent Calendar - One Front Door Amendment Act: Modifies the building code to allow buildings below four stories to have a single entrance for ingress and egress instead of two, provided sprinkler systems and other requirements are met. The Chairman cited statistics that fire fatalities are not caused by inability to exit the building, but rather occur inside apartments. This bill will be on the consent agenda for first reading. - Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization: First update to minimum insurance requirements since 1986. May be delayed two weeks if a fiscal impact statement is not available due to the Office of Revenue Analysis being consumed with the mayor's budget. - Library Ebook Licensing Fairness Amendment Act: Similar to legislation adopted in at least ten other states, aimed at reducing high e-book prices for libraries through market pressure. - Nominations: Confirmations for the Board of Library Trustees, Green Finance Authority Board, and DC Water and Sewer Authority Board. Public Comments & Testimony No public comments were taken as this was a press conference. Discussion Items - Single Stair Building Code (One Front Door Act): The Chairman stated the statistics overwhelmingly support the change and that there was little controversy at the hearing, though the executive expressed some unease. The bill will be on the consent agenda. - Juvenile Curfew Extension: The Chairman supports the emergency extension, noting that the curfew (groups of eight or more) has led to no arrests and is used to disperse large gatherings. He believes the votes are present for passage, despite earlier uncertainty from Councilmember Pinto. He expressed a desire to move beyond the need for a curfew but cited current trends and police staffing challenges. - Open Meetings Legislation: The Chairman supports the emergency and temporary extension, emphasizing the need for candid conversations among elected officials, while maintaining that any action must occur in public meetings. - Veto Override on ICE Legislation (Robert White’s Bill): The Chairman is confident the override will pass because the original bill was approved unanimously. He noted that both ICE bills (body-worn cameras—signed by the mayor—and incident reports—vetoed) will go to Congress regardless. He defended the bills as reasonable accountability measures and criticized ICE's tactics. - White House Ballroom: The Chairman expressed concerns about the proposed ballroom's height (40-foot ceiling, question of reducing to 38 or 36 feet) and massing (larger than typical 150 square feet per person). He is disturbed by its potential to overwhelm the White House wing and plans to review materials before the Thursday vote. - Commander’s Stadium Parking Garages: The Chairman stated that 110-foot parking decks seem too high and will be examined closely, noting he had not previously been aware of such tall structures. - Business Activity Tax: The Chairman said it is too soon to discuss movement, as the budget has not been submitted. He noted the Chief Financial Officer indicated implementation would take at least a year and warned against adding a business activity tax without offsetting reductions in other business taxes (e.g., personal property tax, franchise tax, paid leave fee), as originally envisioned by the tax revision commission. - Budget Delay: The Chairman criticized the Chief Financial Officer’s office for lack of urgency, noting that the first iteration of the financial plan took five days to produce. He emphasized the iterative process requires more responsiveness and said the mayor has not yet submitted the budget. Consequences include freezing MPD payments and reprogrammings. - DC Streetcar Shutdown: The Chairman expressed sadness over the streetcar's end, attributing its failure to poor planning (e.g., no logical termini like Union Station or Minnesota Avenue) and lack of support from the city. He rejected the idea that a costly network expansion would have saved it, calling such spending a luxury the government should not pursue. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken at the press conference, but the Chairman outlined the expected actions for the March 31 legislative meeting: - The Committee of the Whole will mark up six measures, including the One Front Door Amendment Act, Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization, and library ebook licensing. - Final readings are scheduled for the Schools First Amendment Act (adding average position cost as an inflationary factor for school budgets) and the Holding Company System Amendment Act. - Emergency legislation includes extension of the Nationals ballpark lease (likely through 2054 or 2059), juvenile curfew extension, disapproval of a fire truck purchase, and temporary open meetings legislation. - A motion to override the mayor’s veto on the ICE incident report bill will be considered; the Chairman expects the votes to be there.

On March 30, 2026, at 3:55 PM, Chairman Phil Mendelson convened a public roundtable of the Committee of the Whole in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building. The hearing considered four resolutions: PR 26-575 (Brad Belzak appointment to WMSC Board), PR 26-576 (Laura Hankins reappointment to COST), PR 26-577 (Whitney Miller reappointment to Citizen Review Panel), and PR 26-578 (Carolyn Woods reappointment to Citizen Review Panel). The record will close at 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026. Discussion Items Board of Directors of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission – Brad Belzak Appointment - Brad Belzak, a 25-year Ward 2 resident and current alternate commissioner, testified. He brings 23 years of experience in transportation safety and government oversight, including roles at TSA, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the Export-Import Bank. He committed to rigorous safety oversight, transparency, and strengthening relationships with WMATA. He estimated a time commitment of 5–10 hours per month, had no conflicts of interest, and no outstanding tax liabilities. He noted the commission’s dedicated staff and commissioners, and highlighted the need to leverage technology (e.g., AI) for safety oversight. Commission on the Selection and Tenure of Administrative Law Judges (COST) – Laura Hankins Reappointment - Laura Hankins, a current COST member, testified virtually. She reported 100% meeting attendance and robust deliberation. She noted the commission’s limited mandate (appointment, reappointment, discipline, removal of ALJs) and the importance of staying in its lane. She observed that OAH may have three or four current vacancies and raised the issue of no mandatory retirement age for ALJs (a potential legislative consideration). She had no conflicts of interest and confirmed she has time to serve. Citizen Review Panel – Whitney Miller Reappointment - Whitney Miller, a DC resident of 25 years and adoptive parent through CFSA, testified. He described the panel’s role as oversight but noted it has not reached its full potential for driving systemic change. He advocated for stronger structure to prioritize and track recommendations, clearer feedback loops with CFSA, and direct input from mandated reporters and community stakeholders. He saw no conflicts of interest and committed to serving. Citizen Review Panel – Carolyn Woods Reappointment - Carolyn Woods, a licensed resource parent and panel member since October 2024, testified. She emphasized her passion for helping youth aging out of foster care find housing and resources. She identified housing availability and vouchers as the biggest challenge. She stated she would handle conflicts by consulting the chair or attorney and recusing if needed. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken at this roundtable; it served as a public hearing for the four resolutions. - Written comments may be submitted until 5:00 PM on April 20, 2026. - The Council will consider adoption of the resolutions at a future legislative meeting. - Chairman Mendelson noted that some pre-hearing question responses were incomplete (Carolyn Woods stopped at question 8; Whitney Miller had not submitted answers) and requested they be submitted before the record closes.

The Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, chaired by Councilmember Brooke Pinto (Ward 2), met on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 1:50 PM to consider three agenda items: two nominations to the Corrections Information Council Governing Board and Bill 26-0399, the Support Opportunity Unity Legal Relationships (SOL) Amendment Act of 2026. The meeting, conducted virtually, concluded at 2:03 PM. A quorum was present with Councilmembers Anita Bonds (At-Large), Wendell Felder (Ward 7), and later joined by Councilmember Zachary Parker (Ward 5). Consent Calendar - PR 26-491 and PR 26-492 – Corrections Information Council (CIC) Governing Board confirmations of Natasha Dasher and Dr. Praschelle Shannon, both current members renominated by the Mayor. Resolutions were introduced by Chairman Mendelson on December 16, 2025. The board (5 members, 2-year terms, 3 appointed by Mayor, 2 by Council) advises on conditions of confinement for DC residents in federal or DOC custody. Natasha Dasher is an administrative officer at the U.S. Department of Energy and a returning citizen; Dr. Shannon is CEO/co-founder of 4 Truth with 16+ years of corrections experience. The block of nominees was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously by voice vote (ayes). Discussion Items - Bill 26-0399 – SOL Amendment Act of 2026 (introduced by Councilmember Zachary Parker, co-introduced by several members). The bill creates a new legal permanency option called “SOL Family” for youth involved with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). It allows older youth (typically ages 14–21) who may not want adoption to formalize a network of supportive adults (e.g., neighbors, coaches, relatives) to provide housing, care, and mentorship. The legislation was developed with direct input from youth with lived experience (Lived Experts or “Lex”) and informed by similar law in Kansas. The bill defines roles, establishes family court procedures, sets rights/responsibilities, authorizes subsidies for SOLE caregivers, and mandates confidentiality. No public testimony was heard; the joint hearing was held November 13, 2025. Councilmember Parker emphasized youth-led design and the need for legal protections beyond informal arrangements. Councilmember Bonds expressed strong support, noting it helps young people navigating aging out of foster care. Key Outcomes - Votes: PR 26-491 and PR 26-492 were passed unanimously (no objection; all ayes). - Bill 26-0399 was approved unanimously (Councilmember Parker, though not a committee member, expressed enthusiastic support in voice vote). The print and report were moved with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes. The meeting adjourned at 2:03 PM.