Public Meetings - Washington, District Of Columbia

The Committee of the Whole, chaired by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, held a roundtable hearing on PR 26-741, the resolution to confirm Mayor Bowser's nomination of Mark Battle to the Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) for a term expiring May 15, 2030. The hearing opened at 10:21 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. Three public witnesses testified, followed by the nominee and a late appearance by UDC Board Chairman Session. The record will close at 5 p.m. on July 8, 2026, and the nomination is tentatively scheduled for consideration at the July 14, 2026 council meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - Robert Vincent Branham testified in strong support of the nomination, emphasizing Mark Battle's extensive public service and contributions to the District of Columbia. Branham also made tangential remarks about media treatment of Black leaders, ranked-choice voting (which he called a "scam"), and his own initiative to rescind it. He urged the committee and council to approve the nomination. - Manuel Jackson testified about his personal need for Medicaid coverage for dental implants and expressed interest in potential university engineering assistance, but did not address the nominee's fitness. He noted he had never been in the hearing room before. - Bill Rice testified in support of the nomination, focusing on the benefits of the planned new DC Archives to be built at UDC (replacing Building 41 on the Van Ness campus). He described the current archives at 1300 Naylor Court as inadequate and noted that demolition is expected to begin shortly, but construction is delayed due to a funding gap. Rice urged Mr. Battle to support the project and asked the council to confirm the nomination. - Mr. Session, UDC Board of Trustees Chairman, arrived late and spoke in support of Mark Battle, noting that Battle would be the 15th and final appointee to fill the board. He emphasized the board's ambitious trajectory and the importance of student housing and archives for raising UDC's profile. He acknowledged the council's restoration of $6 million of a $10 million cut to UDC's budget and the capital funding for the purchase of Congress Heights property. Discussion Items - Nominee Mark Battle presented his background: a UDC alumnus (B.A. in print journalism, 1999), graduate of Howard University School of Law, with extensive legal and governance experience at DC Water, PEPCO, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and as a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister. He serves on several boards. He expressed deep personal commitment to UDC's strategic plan goals: raising second-year retention to 80%, six-year graduation to 65%, nearly doubling degrees awarded, growing enrollment toward 6,000 students, and more than tripling annual giving. He identified student housing as a key opportunity to improve the student experience and UDC's image. He acknowledged challenges including tight public resources and the need to boost philanthropy and partnerships. He pledged full effort, independent judgment, and disclosure of any conflicts of interest. - Chairman Mendelson questioned the nominee about measurement of success, conflicts of interest, time commitment, and his reaction to the archives testimony. Battle responded that success would be measured by enhanced student outcomes (retention and graduation), housing, and telling UDC's story better. He had no known conflicts but would disclose any. He was unaware of the exact time commitment but committed to adjusting his schedule. On archives, he reserved judgment until he could study the plan within the board’s strategic framework. Chairman Mendelson clarified that the archives project is in the capital budget separate from UDC and that the campus would not bear its cost; the university's support is sought without financial burden. - Chairman Mendelson also noted that the council restored $6 million of $10 million cut by the mayor in UDC's budget and added capital funds for the Congress Heights property purchase, urging the board and president to move forward. Key Outcomes - No vote was taken; the roundtable was for gathering testimony. - The record will remain open until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, for additional written submissions. - Chairman Mendelson indicated the nomination is tentatively scheduled for consideration at the July 14, 2026 council meeting. - Chairman Session expressed strong board support for Mark Battle's confirmation and for the archives and housing initiatives.

The Council of the District of Columbia held its 32nd legislative meeting of Council Period 26 on June 23, 2026, at 5:15 PM ET in the Johnny Wilson Building. Chaired by Phil Mendelson, the meeting addressed the final reading of the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act, emergency and temporary budget measures, and several amendments, including funding to implement the open primary provisions of Initiative 83. The council also discussed fiscal policy, use of reserves, and committed to a fall hearing on revenue options. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda was approved unanimously without changes. Discussion Items Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act (Bill 26-659) – Final Reading - Chairman Mendelson moved an amendment in the nature of a substitute that increased the workforce investment account from $100 million to $105 million, restored funding for Department of Transportation vacancy savings, added $2.1 million to the Board of Elections, $2 million to the Sustainable Energy Utility, and additional funds for school-based mental health, literacy and math initiatives, Department of Corrections lead-up/lead-out program, and special education transportation for Special Olympics. - Chairman Mendelson also moved five amendments: (1) $150,000 for an FTE at the Ombudsperson for Children for oversight of juvenile facilities (later amended to NPS per Councilmember Allen); (2) two FTEs at the Department of Housing and Community Development; (3) technical clarification on contract termination costs; (4) a contingency list for excess revenues (first $150M to fiscal stabilization reserve, then $9M for housing authority, $3M for emergency rental assistance, $2M for credible messengers, $36M to workforce investment); (5) technical adjustment within the Office of Planning. - Oral amendments by Chairman Mendelson: (a) moved $21 million for Park Morton redevelopment to the Bruce Monroe line; (b) moved $1.08 million for Johnson Middle School athletic field; (c) increased Garrison Elementary field funding from $500,000 to $1 million. All were accepted without objection. - Councilmember Nadeau noted the budget still relies on one-time reserves and urged a tax system overhaul. She announced she would introduce a wealth proceeds tax bill and supported a fall hearing on revenue. - Councilmember Fruman praised the budget as a "soft landing" and defended the use of reserves, noting the CFO’s liquidity concerns are being addressed. - Councilmember Lewis George highlighted Ward 4 investments in schools, libraries, recreation centers, and workforce pay increases. - Councilmember Pinto expressed reservations about using reserves but supported the budget, noting the need for fiscal responsibility and a progressive tax structure. - Councilmember Parker thanked the chairman for restoring family success centers, Safe Shores, and funding for Langdon Park Recreation Center, and for addressing traffic safety and industrial land use. Open Primaries Amendment (Councilmember Henderson) - Councilmember Henderson moved an amendment to provide $965,250 from the workforce investment account to fund implementation of the open primary provisions of Initiative 83, which would allow approximately 85,000 independent voters to participate in primary elections. The funding is spread across FY27-29, with FY30 costs from unbudgeted resources. - Supporters (Councilmembers Henderson, Pinto, Allen, Fruman, Parker) argued that 73% of voters approved the initiative, that independent voters are disenfranchised under the current system, and that the amendment respects voter will. They noted the successful rollout of ranked-choice voting in the June 2026 primary. - Opponents (Councilmembers Felder, Treyon White) expressed concerns about weakening political parties and the funding source (workforce investment account). Councilmember Bonds questioned whether costs were fully captured. - Chairman Mendelson stated he would vote no, saying party nominees should be chosen by party members. - The amendment passed with a majority; two no votes (Felder and Treyon White) and two present (Chairman Mendelson and likely Councilmember Crawford) were recorded. Other Legislation - Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Portion Budget Request Act (Bill 26-658) – Approved unanimously as a final reading with leave for technical changes. - Open Meetings Clarification Amendment Act (Bill 26-208) – Chairman Mendelson moved a clarifying amendment (non-substantive wordsmithing). Councilmember Allen confirmed that email messages are not considered meetings under the act but remain subject to FOIA. The bill was approved with two no votes (Allen and Lewis George) and one present (Treyon White). - Fiscal Year 2026 Revised Local Budget Emergency Act (Bill 26-662) – Approved unanimously after an amendment in the nature of a substitute that included $22 million reduction in workforce investment to cover charter school special education costs, $10 million for child care subsidy pressure, and funding for DPR hours, school readiness, arts grants, and voting machines. - Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Emergency Act (Bill 26-660) – Approved unanimously, conforming to the permanent budget, to ensure funding before congressional review. - Fiscal Year 2026 Revised Local Budget Temporary Act (Bill 26-663) – Approved unanimously, conforming to the emergency act. Key Outcomes - The Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act (Bill 26-659) was approved on final reading as amended, with all in favor. - The Open Primaries Amendment was adopted, providing $965,250 from the workforce investment account to allow independent voters to participate in primary elections starting in 2028. - The council adopted emergency and temporary budget legislation for FY2026 and FY2027 to ensure continuity before permanent bills take effect. - Chairman Mendelson committed to holding a public hearing in fall 2026 on tax and revenue options, including potential wealth taxes and other proposals. - The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 30, 2026, with additional legislative meetings on July 7 (Budget Support Act) and July 14 (final meeting before recess).

On June 23, 2026, the Council of the District of Columbia's Committee of the Whole met to consider the Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Portion Budget Request Act and to advance several appointments to housing agencies. The meeting, chaired by Chairman Phil Mendelson, began at 11:28 AM and adjourned at 11:50 AM. Consent Calendar - Waived readings of the Secretary's report of committee filings and the log of introductions and referrals (unanimous voice vote). - Confirmation resolutions from the Committee on Housing were placed on the consent agenda for the subsequent legislative meeting without objection: PR 26-599 (Lauren Pear as Rent Administrator), PR 26-632 (Steve Clinton), PR 26-633 (Edward Fisher), and PR 26-641 (Carrie Robinson) to the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency. Discussion Items - Bill 26-658 (Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Portion Budget Request Act): Chairman Mendelson presented the bill, explaining it requests federal funding for DC government agencies not funded locally, including the DC Courts, Public Defender Service, tuition assistance grants, and reimbursements for protecting federal officials. He noted that approximately 99% of the district's budget is from local revenue or federal formula grants, with less than 1% from federal payments. Councilmember Fruman asked about reductions in funding for DC Courts (from $360M to $274M), Offender Supervision (from $311M to $277M), and Public Defender Service (from $59M to $53M). Chairman Mendelson responded that the figures came from working with the agencies and that all relevant agencies felt held harmless. Fruman also asked about WMATA funding; the request for FY27 is $161.95M, adjusted for inflation from $150M in prior years. The bill was approved unanimously and placed on the non-consent agenda for the legislative meeting. - Confirmation Resolutions: Councilmember Robert White presented four nominations from the Committee on Housing. He described each nominee's qualifications: Lauren Pear (Rent Administrator) led the rent registry implementation; Carrie Robinson brings finance and real estate expertise; Steve Clinton brings housing finance and capital markets experience; Edward Fisher brings community development and public-private partnership experience. Councilmember Felder made a supportive statement about Mr. Fisher but was reminded by the Chair that only questions were permitted. No further questions were asked. All four measures were found legally and technically sufficient and were placed on the consent agenda. Key Outcomes - Bill 26-658 was approved unanimously (voice vote) and will be placed on the non-consent agenda for the Council's legislative meeting. - PR 26-599, PR 26-632, PR 26-633, and PR 26-641 were all moved to the consent agenda for the legislative meeting without objection. - The meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM.

On Monday, June 22, 2026, at 12:12 p.m., the Council of the District of Columbia's Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), held a public roundtable to consider PR 26-598, the Green Finance Authority Board Jennifer Wade Confirmation Resolution of 2026. The meeting took place in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building and via Zoom. No public witnesses registered to testify. The committee heard from nominee Jennifer Wade and will accept written testimony until the close of business on June 23, 2026. A markup session is scheduled for June 23, 2026. Discussion Items - Nominee Background and Qualifications: Jennifer Wade, a Ward 8 resident and 15-year D.C. public servant, currently serves as Director of the Division of Regulation in the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office at the U.S. Department of Energy. She previously spent over a decade at the U.S. Energy Information Administration focusing on natural gas and petroleum market data. Wade holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in Teaching from Towson University. She has volunteered with organizations such as So Others Might Eat, Food & Friends, and Martha's Table. - Relevance of Fossil Fuel Experience to Clean Energy Board: Chairperson Allen questioned how Wade's experience in gas regulation translates to the Green Finance Authority's mission, which focuses on solar, geothermal, and clean energy projects. Wade responded that her expertise in data analysis, regulatory frameworks, public engagement (including managing a study that received hundreds of thousands of public comments), and understanding existing energy systems provides a foundation for effective board service. She noted that natural gas still plays a role in the regional energy mix and that a data-driven approach is essential for a successful clean energy transition. - Familiarity with Green Finance Authority's Work: Wade expressed familiarity with the Green Finance Authority's projects, particularly the St. Elizabeth's campus project (near her home in Ward 8) and the Solar for All program, which she said has increased accessibility to clean energy in underserved communities. - Conflict of Interest: Wade stated she sees no conflict between her federal role (focused on natural gas import/export regulation) and board service, but would address any issues if they arise. - Definition of Success: Wade said success in two years would include expanding access to existing programs in additional communities and improving public communication, such as through a dashboard or other mechanism to amplify the Authority's impact. Key Outcomes - No Public Testimony: No public witnesses registered for the roundtable. Written testimony may be submitted until June 23, 2026, via LIMS.dc council.gov/ hearings. - Record and Next Steps: The record will remain open until June 23, 2026. The committee is scheduled to mark up PR 26-598 on June 23, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m. - Background Statistics Provided: Chairperson Allen noted that the DC Green Finance Authority has leveraged $84 million in local funding into $884 million in unlocked investment (a ratio exceeding 8.5:1), created thousands of jobs, increased annual solar energy production, and reduced annual emissions by 21,000 metric tons (equivalent to the annual energy usage of 3,000 homes).

Chair Phil Mendelson convened a public round table of the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 2:38 PM in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. The sole purpose was to consider PR 26-708, the resolution to appoint Janine D. Jackson to the District of Columbia Uniform Law Commission. The record remains open until 5:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026, and the council may take up the resolution at its June 30, 2026 legislative meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - Janine D. Jackson (Nominee) testified in support of her own appointment. She described her extensive legal and policy career: executive partner of Holland & Knight’s Washington, D.C. office (overseeing 362 employees); former roles as committee director for the Council’s Committees on Education, Libraries, and Recreation and Judiciary and Public Safety; executive director of the DC Public Schools state complaint office; Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs in the Mayor’s executive office; and Senior Vice President for Government Relations at the DC Chamber of Commerce. She expressed strong support for the Uniform Law Commission’s mission of developing nonpartisan model legislation to promote clarity, predictability, and fairness across states, and she stated her belief that her experience in legislative drafting and cross-branch government work would allow her to contribute meaningfully on behalf of the District. - Brian Flowers (a commissioner, possibly lifetime commissioner) submitted a written statement of support for the nominee, which Chair Mendelson noted will be included in the record. Discussion Items - Chair Mendelson asked Ms. Jackson about the time commitment involved in serving on the commission. She affirmed that she understands the time requirement and has the capacity to participate fully. - Asked about potential conflicts of interest, Ms. Jackson stated she knows of no conflicts and would disclose and recuse herself if any arose. - Asked about outstanding tax liabilities, she confirmed none exist. - Asked if she had a particular interest in any uniform law the ULC is currently addressing, Ms. Jackson responded that her primary interest is ensuring continuity across states for the benefit of families, businesses, and DC residents, rather than any single pending uniform law. - Chair Mendelson noted Ms. Jackson’s prior work on uniform law bills while serving on the Council’s judiciary staff under then-At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson, which she confirmed. Key Outcomes - No vote was taken at the round table. The record for this matter will close at 5:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026. The Committee of the Whole and the full Council may consider the appointment at the June 30, 2026 legislative meeting.

The Committee on Health, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, met on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 11:02 a.m. to 11:09 a.m. with a quorum of Councilmembers Brianna Doe (Ward 1) and Charles Allen (Ward 6). The committee considered and unanimously approved five board nominations: four to the Board of Pharmacy and one to the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Board. Discussion Items - PR 26-687 – Dr. Allison Hill (Reappointment to Board of Pharmacy): Dr. Hill, a pharmacist licensed in the District, has served on the board since 2020 and currently chairs it. She is pharmacy manager at CBS Health and holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from Howard University. She is a Ward 7 resident. - PR 26-688 – Dr. Jamila Jordan (Reappointment to Board of Pharmacy): Dr. Jordan, a District-licensed pharmacist, was nominated to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term ending March 12, 2028. No additional background was read into the record. - PR 26-689 – Dr. Jewel Redick (Reappointment to Board of Pharmacy): Dr. Redick is an administrative law judge at HHS and a CBS Health pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy from Florida A&M and a J.D. from University of Miami (Ward 7 resident). At his hearing, he discussed his interdisciplinary background, concern about pharmacy consolidation in underserved communities east of the Anacostia River, and interest in expanding patient education and addressing the opioid epidemic. - PR 26-690 – Dr. Stephanie Jonakin (Appointment to Board of Pharmacy): Dr. Jonakin serves as a primary care clinical pharmacist at the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center and is licensed in multiple states. She holds a Pharm.D. from Touro University California (Ward 6 resident). At her hearing, she emphasized increasing public awareness of pharmacists' full scope of services, particularly for chronic conditions like diabetes (e.g., continuous glucose monitors). - PR 26-691 – Mr. John Auerbach (Appointment to Health Benefit Exchange Authority Board): Mr. Auerbach, a Ward 3 resident, is Senior Vice President of Health at ICF International with over 30 years in public health (e.g., Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner, CDC director roles). At his hearing, he shared lessons from implementing Massachusetts' universal health insurance law and the ACA: partnering with community organizations and keeping processes simple. Key Outcomes - The committee moved the first four nominations (PR 26-687, 688, 689, 690) in block and adopted the draft reports and prints with leave for staff technical changes. All members voted aye; the measures passed unanimously. - The committee moved PR 26-691 (Mr. Auerbach) separately, also adopting the draft report and print with technical changes. It passed unanimously as well. - The committee noted its next meeting will be a roundtable on maternal health in the District on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, featuring testimony from the Department of Health and Department of Health Care Finance.

The Committee on Human Services, chaired by Councilmember Matt Freeman (Ward 3), held a public roundtable on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 1:07 PM in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building to discuss PR26-0736, the Hill East Phase 2 Bundle 2 Disposition Term Sheet Amendment Approval Resolution of 2026. The resolution authorizes three amendments to the 2022 term sheet for the development of approximately 6.3 acres (parcels C, E, H) at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue SE. Testimony was heard from Evans Charles, principal of R13 Community Partners (the developer), and Latrina Owens, Director of Real Estate at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). Public Comments & Testimony - Evans Charles (R13 Community Partners, Ward 7 native) testified in support of the resolution. He stated the project is 51% CBE-owned and led by DC natives. He outlined three requested amendments: (1) the District will construct public streets and sidewalks on the street parcels (previously developer’s scope); (2) the District will construct the public park on Parcel E, which will be leased to the developer for 25 years with the developer maintaining it at no cost to the District; (3) the substantial completion period for each parcel will be extended from 30 to 32 months after construction start—clarified as correcting a typo. He noted the project will deliver approximately 1,089 residential units (332 affordable, 30%), a 243-key hotel, 38,000 square feet of retail, and a public park, projecting over $200 million in tax revenue, 2,000 construction jobs, and 500 permanent jobs over 30 years. He attributed delays to a tight lending climate, elevated construction costs, and a larger-than-anticipated funding gap. Affordability was reduced from a planned 40-50% to 30% to ensure feasibility. Of the affordable units, 166 will be at or below 30% MFI, 146 at or below 50% MFI, and 20 at or below 60% MFI. The project includes 125 for-sale units and 964 rentals; family-sized unit counts (2- and 3-bedroom) were not provided. He expects closing on Parcel C by December 2027 and on other parcels by March 2028, with 24-month construction timelines targeting a spring 2030 completion. - Latrina Owens (DMPED) testified in support, confirming the District has sufficient capital budget to construct the infrastructure and park (approximately $30 million for streets and $35 million for sewer relocation, though exact totals were not finalized). Sewer relocation is underway and expected to complete in the next few months (Q4 2026 or Q1 2027). She noted that the District previously built infrastructure on other campus projects (e.g., St. Elizabeth’s East, RFK Stadium) and that the amendments were necessary to bridge the funding gap. Discussion Items - Infrastructure and Sewer: Councilmember Freeman asked about sewer pipe and utility issues. Evans Charles stated DMPED (via DGS) is now handling infrastructure, which previously was developer’s responsibility. Latrina Owens confirmed sewer relocation is underway with completion anticipated in the next few months. - Financing and Feasibility: Freeman questioned the viability given current market conditions. Charles cited the unique attractiveness of the site—proximity to the RFK Stadium redevelopment, waterfront, and over $3 billion in adjacent development—as reasons for confidence. Owens added that Hill East is an opportunity zone, offering tax benefits to investors. - Affordability and Unit Mix: Charles confirmed the 30% affordable requirement under the Anacostia Watershed Development Zone (AWDZ) is maintained, though previously higher ambitions were curtailed. He provided MFI breakdowns but did not have 2- and 3-bedroom counts; he committed to providing those later. He also stated the developer will seek project-based vouchers. - Park and Public Space: The park (roughly one acre) will be designed in coordination with DPR, with features such as an amphitheater, playground, and open green space. The developer will maintain it for 25 years at no cost to the city, after which it will transfer to DPR. Charles confirmed maintenance costs are built into the pro forma. - Timeline: The target for closing on Parcel C is December 2027, with other parcels closing by March 2028. Construction would take 24 months per parcel, aiming for a full completion by spring 2030. - School Capacity: Freeman raised concerns about school capacity given 3,000 total planned units across Hill East. Owens noted that DMPED informs DCPS of upcoming units but has not yet had formal conversations; school choice makes enrollment projections uncertain. - Grocery Store: Freeman asked whether a grocery store was still planned. Owens stated it is not confirmed for this bundle; the project includes 38,000 square feet of leasable retail, but no tenant has been finalized. - Cost to the District: Owens confirmed that infrastructure costs (streets, sidewalks, park) are already in the Hill East capital budget (since 2022) and are sufficient. The $30 million for roads and $35 million for sewers were mentioned, but a precise total was not provided; a follow-up response was requested. - Disposition Authority: Owens explained that the disposition authority for the land expires in March 2028, but closing before that date (December 2027) allows construction to proceed under covenants and performance schedules. Key Outcomes - The committee heard testimony in support of PR26-0736. No formal vote was taken during the roundtable. Councilmember Freeman requested written follow-up on: exact numbers of 2- and 3-bedroom units, costs built into the pro forma for park maintenance and resident services (especially voucher tenants), and the precise capital budget totals for Hill East infrastructure. - Written testimony must be uploaded to the council’s electronic hearing management system by close of business on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. - The developer’s next steps include completing design review, securing financing (likely equity and bank loans, not HPTF or LITACO), and closing on Parcel C by December 2027. DMPED will continue oversight through construction and use covenants.

On Monday, June 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., the Committee on Health, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, held a hybrid public hearing in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. The hearing considered three nominations for two boards and three pieces of insurance-related legislation. The record remained open until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026. Nominee Hearings for the Board of Pharmacy and Health Benefit Exchange Authority Board - Dr. Jewel Redick, nominated to the Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacist (term ending March 12, 2028), testified about his dual background in pharmacy and law as an administrative law judge, and his work on the DC Opioid Fatality Review Board. He emphasized improving workplace conditions for pharmacists and balancing business needs with patient safety. - Dr. Stephanie Johnikan, nominated to the Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacist (term ending March 12, 2029), shared her experience as a primary care clinical pharmacist at the Washington DC VA Medical Center and her vision to expand pharmacist scope of practice, increase access to care, and update Healthy DC 2020 statistics. - John Auerbach, nominated to the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Board (term ending July 6, 2030), drew on over 30 years of public health experience, including roles as Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner during the state's universal health insurance implementation. He highlighted lessons on affordability, clarity, and community connections for health coverage. - Chairperson Henderson asked each nominee about time commitments; all three affirmed they could fulfill the requirements. Public Comments & Testimony - Tom Glassick, Executive Director of the DC Insurance Federation, testified on all three bills. On the short-term disability bill, he raised constitutional extraterritoriality concerns and noted no known harm from the existing temporary measures. On the cybersecurity bill, he supported the model-law approach and noted 25 states have adopted similar standards. On the captive insurance bill, he deferred to industry experts but highlighted DC's leading position. - Jason Shupp, a whistleblower and longtime insurance compliance professional, urged rejection of secrecy provisions in the Captive Insurance Company Amendment Act. He argued that the bill would deepen a lack of transparency, enabling tax evasion and anti-money laundering schemes. He cited his research uncovering captive-linked tax abuses and called for disclosure of captive ownership and annual reports. - Joseph Hollihan, President of the Captive Insurance Council of DC, supported the captive bill, stating it strengthens the existing strong regulatory framework. He argued that confidentiality of captive financial reports is standard across domiciles and necessary to retain business. He praised DISB's Risk Finance Bureau as among the best. - Fritz Mulhauser, Co-chair of the Legal Committee of the DC Open Government Coalition, opposed the captive bill's blanket FOIA exemption for captive annual reports. He called the provision premature given pending litigation and urged the committee to require an annual aggregate report on captive financial soundness, as Vermont does. - Alex Samuels, testifying on behalf of DC Jobs with Justice, supported the short-term disability bill, recounting an instance where an employer's private insurer threatened to deny benefits due to DC Paid Family Leave. She argued the permanent legislation is needed to prevent insurers from offsetting benefits. - Laura Brown, Executive Director of First Shift Justice Project, also supported the short-term disability bill, explaining that offsets undermine the paid leave program's intent and harm workers, especially new mothers who rely on both programs for full wage replacement. Discussion Items 1. Bill 26-427 – Cybersecurity and Accountability Act of 2025 - Deputy Commissioner Sharon Chip (DISB) testified that the bill establishes uniform data security standards for insurance licensees, requiring written information security programs, incident response plans, and reporting of cyber events affecting 250+ DC residents within 72 hours. The bill is based on an NAIC model adopted by 25 jurisdictions. DISB plans to implement details through rulemaking. - Chairperson Henderson asked about coordination with OAG, employee thresholds, and penalties (up to $25,000). DISB confirmed no additional staff needed and that the bill exempts licensees with fewer than 10 employees from some provisions. The bill would close a gap where some insurers failed to report breaches to DISB. 2. Bill 26-18 – Short-Term Disability Insurance Benefit Protection Clarification Amendment Act of 2025 - Associate Commissioner Philip Barlow (DISB) explained that the bill would prohibit private disability insurers from reducing short-term disability benefits based on DC Paid Family Leave benefits, regardless of where the policy was issued. The current emergency/temporary measures have been in place since 2021, but enforcement is limited for policies issued outside DC. - Chairperson Henderson noted few recent complaints and asked about any needed changes; DISB said no changes are necessary. The bill codifies existing temporary law. 3. Bill 26-588 – Captive Insurance Company Amendment Act of 2026 - Associate Commissioner Sean O'Donnell (DISB) detailed updates to the captive insurance law, including adding LLC formation options, clarifying capital requirements, creating an inactive captive status, expediting licensing for protected cells, and adding a blanket FOIA exemption for annual financial reports. He noted that 234 captives are currently active, and the bill aims to retain and attract captives by clarifying confidentiality. - Chairperson Henderson questioned transparency, the inactive captive process, and the FOIA exemption. O'Donnell argued that the reports contain proprietary information on private companies' insurance programs and that existing FOIA exemptions (trade secrets/competitive harm) protect them, but the bill adds explicit statutory protection to avoid ambiguity. He offered to develop an aggregate public dashboard similar to Vermont's. - Discussion also covered the number of captives, staffing (11 positions, one vacant, one in budget), and the bill's minor technical error (line 81 needing a “not” inserted). Key Outcomes - Nominees: The three nominations will be included in a markup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, pending colleague availability. - Bills: The committee plans to move the short-term disability and cybersecurity bills before the Council recess (July 15, 2026). The captive insurance bill will be taken up post-recess. - Record: The hearing record remains open until June 29, 2026, for written testimony. - Next Steps: DISB agreed to provide additional information on capital requirements and to explore aggregate reporting on captives. The committee will correct the technical error in the captive bill.

On June 10, 2026, Councilmember Zachary Parker, Chair of the Committee on Youth Affairs, convened a public hearing at 2:00 PM in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building and virtually via Zoom. The committee heard testimony on two pieces of legislation: B26-0071, the Uniform Unregulated Transfer of Child Custody Act of 2025, and B26-0479, the Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act of 2025. The hearing was adjourned at 2:49 PM. Public Comments & Testimony - Angela Hubbard (First Vice President of Programs, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. chapter) testified in support of the Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act. She cited data showing that Black children make up roughly 60% of D.C.'s youth population but over 85% of children in foster care, and that Black girls are suspended at nearly 20 times the rate of white girls in D.C. schools. She argued the youth villages model is an evidence-based, family-centered program that can reduce foster care entries, lower recidivism, and improve outcomes for Black girls. - Alex Stein gave disruptive testimony, criticizing Councilmember Parker's meeting management and making unrelated statements about youth crime and a person named Carmelo Anthony. The Chair moved to proceed with the hearing. - Magdalena Chungus (Policy Manager, Council for Court Excellence) testified in support of the Youth Villages bill in concept but recommended amendments. She noted that 47.6% of youth with a prior DYRS commitment were adjudicated again within two years (2022 CJCC report) and suggested the grant program be housed in an agency better suited for justice-involved youth, such as one focused on employment, education, or extracurricular activities. - James McKay (Chair, DC Uniform Law Commission) and Libby Snyder (Staff Attorney, Uniform Law Commission) testified in support of B26-0071. They explained that the bill prohibits unregulated child custody transfers (e.g., via online forums) and gives CFSA and the Attorney General authority to investigate. The Uniform Act was finalized in 2021 and has been enacted in five states. They noted that a Reuters investigation found a child was advertised for rehoming online about once a week over a five-year period. - Elizabeth Muffoleto (Deputy, Office of the Hotline and Investigations, DC Child and Family Services Agency) testified as a government witness. On B26-0071, CFSA supports the bill but noted no known cases in D.C. and would need to develop training and policies. On B26-0479, CFSA opposes the bill as written because it does not align with the agency's mission (child welfare and foster care) and would create confusion with the existing Youth Villages LifeSet program. CFSA recommended renaming the program and reassigning it to another agency focused on workforce development, education, or justice-involved youth. Discussion Items - Councilmember Parker questioned witnesses on the prevalence of unregulated custody transfers. Both ULC representatives and CFSA acknowledged the difficulty of tracking such transfers because they occur "in the shadows." Libby Snyder noted that the U.S. Department of State participated in drafting the Uniform Act due to concerns about internationally adopted children. - Regarding the Youth Villages bill, Councilmember Parker explored whether CFSA could administer the grant program given its existing infrastructure for family success centers. CFSA Deputy Muffoleto reiterated that the agency lacks staff and resources for this population (justice-involved or at-risk youth) and that the LifeSet program already serves foster youth ages 17–21 with a caseload of eight per worker and an annual cost of $670,000 plus $60,000 for technical assistance. - Councilmember Parker indicated he would work with Councilmember Pinto to reconsider the agency placement for the Youth Villages bill. Key Outcomes - The committee will move forward with marking up B26-0071 (Uniform Unregulated Transfer of Child Custody Act), with CFSA in support. - The committee will not proceed with B26-0479 (Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act) as currently drafted. Councilmember Parker stated he will work with Councilmember Pinto to rethink the parameters, particularly the administering agency, and may mark it up if a suitable agency is identified. - Written testimony for the record may be submitted until 5:30 PM on June 24, 2026, via email to T. Franco (TFranco@dccouncil.gov).