Committee on Health advances Bill 26‑109 to streamline farmers market licensing and create grant program

The Committee on Health advanced Bill 26‑109, the Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025, unanimously at a virtual meeting Friday, May 9, directing staff to prepare a committee print with technical changes, Committee Chair and at‑large Councilmember Christina Henderson said.

The bill, introduced in January by Henderson with Councilmembers Alan Fruman, Brianna Doe, Zachary Parker and Robert White, would create a farmers market support program at DC Health, establish a grant program to incentivize markets in low‑food‑access areas, waive certain fees for markets operating in those areas and require a centralized online application portal by January 2028. Henderson said the measure also makes changes to the Statewide Health Information Coordinating Council (SHIC) requested by DC Health.

Henderson said farmers markets "are essential for increasing access to healthy and affordable food and supporting small farmers and district small businesses." She summarized testimony heard at the committee's March 17 public hearing, including an account that a farmer operator told the panel, "you either pay the farmers or you pay the doctors," to illustrate the public‑health link.

What the bill would do

Henderson outlined the bill's principal provisions: create a farmers market support program within DC Health to provide technical assistance and coordinate licensing and permitting across agencies; establish a grant program with a minimum of $250,000 to support operational costs, infrastructure and year‑round operations in low‑food‑access areas; waive licensing and permitting fees for farmers markets, farm stands and mobile markets operating in low‑food‑access areas; and require a centralized application process by January 2028 so a single online portal forwards applications to relevant agencies and communicates status to applicants. Henderson also described a change reducing the SHIC from 15 seats to nine, saying the seats being cut are currently vacant.

Data and fiscal notes

Henderson told the committee there are currently 53 independently operated farmers markets across all eight wards. She cited FY2024 figures saying "over 10,000 district residents spent $1,500,000 in produce plus benefits, $500,000 in senior farmers market nutrition benefits, and $322,000 on women, infant, and children farmers market nutrition benefits" to purchase fresh produce at those markets.

She said the Office of the Chief Financial Officer projects costs of roughly $669,000 in FY26 and about $1.8 million over the financial plan, including one full‑time equivalent position and technology build‑out costs for the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Henderson noted the bill "is subject to appropriations."

Committee discussion

Councilwoman Bernadette said Ward 1 markets would benefit and applauded the bill but raised a concern that the committee's changes might create a parallel licensing system that duplicates the street‑vendor licensing structure. "I'm gonna vote today with you, in support of the legislation, but I'm hoping we can work together before first reading, to just sort of, address some of those concerns," she said.

Councilmember Zachary Parker, a co‑introducer, said he sits on the Council of Governments' farm committee and that the committee formally endorsed the bill. "I think it's gonna help a lot of people across our district," Parker said, noting the measure should reduce uncertainty about registration and rights for operators.

Councilmember Charles Allen praised farmers markets as places that provide fresh food and foster community, and said prior issues with the Department of Transportation had been worked out. Allen said he looked forward to supporting the bill.

Formal action and next steps

Chair Henderson moved the draft committee print for Bill 26‑109 with staff instructed to make technical changes. The committee voice‑voted the motion and the chair said, "Let the record reflect that the ayes have it and the measure passes unanimously." The committee's action advances the bill to the Council for further consideration; Henderson noted the bill's implementation would be "subject to appropriations." The Council expects the mayor to transmit the FY2026 proposed budget later in May, which could affect funding for the program.

Ending

The committee concluded its meeting after the unanimous vote. The measure will proceed through the Council's legislative process, beginning with first reading at the Council level.