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D.C. Council approves multiple emergency and disposition measures; several bills moved unanimously
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Summary
On March 4 the Council approved a block of emergency declarations, a disposition-extension resolution, two project/finance resolutions, and multiple temporary bills; most votes were unanimous.
The Council of the District of Columbia on March 4 approved a series of resolutions, emergency declarations and bills, including a disposition-extension, two revenue-bond approvals, emergency clarifications and a package of temporary measures. Most votes were unanimous.
Key outcomes at the March 4 legislative meeting included:
- PR26-22, Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club Disposition Extension Approval Resolution of 2025: The Council approved a resolution, at the mayor’s request, extending the deadline for the District to dispose of property at 261 17th Street SE to Morningstar Community Development LLC. The project is described in committee materials as proposing approximately 35 residential units, including 11 affordable units, and about 2,500 square feet of community-serving space. The vote was unanimous.
- PR26-34, National Links Trust Inc. Revenue Bonds Project Approval Resolution of 2025: The Council authorized issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds, notes or other obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $80,000,000 to assist National Links Trust projects at Langston Golf Course (Ward 5), East Potomac Golf Course (Ward 6) and Rock Creek Park Golf Course (Ward 4). The National Capital Planning Commission previously approved renovations at Rock Creek (09/05/2024). The vote was unanimous.
- Residential Building Permit Classification Emergency Declaration Resolution and underlying Bill 26-149 (Residential Building Permit Classification Temporary Amendment Act): The Council adopted an emergency declaration and the underlying bill to clarify when commercial-to-residential conversion projects may receive reclassification from Class 2 to Class 1 for property-tax purposes. The emergency measure and underlying bill passed unanimously; sponsors said the measure includes a clawback if conversion does not proceed (approximate three-year recovery period referenced in committee remarks).
- Second Chance Clarification Emergency Declaration (PR26-103) and underlying Bill 26-151 (Second Chance Clarification Temporary Amendment Act): The Council passed emergency legislation to correct two drafting errors in the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 affecting applicability dates for automatic sealing and expungement provisions. The declaration and the underlying temporary bill passed unanimously; sponsors said additional legislative fixes remain to be addressed.
- PR26-109, Unlicensed Establishment Enforcement Clarification Emergency Declaration and underlying Bill 26-162 (as amended): The Council passed an emergency declaration and moved a bill (with an amendment in the nature of a substitute) clarifying enforcement against unlicensed cannabis establishments, expanding summary-closure authority for the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and allowing summary closure notices to be issued to property owners under certain conditions. Committee materials cited that ABCA and the Metropolitan Police Department had summarily closed and padlocked 31 unlicensed cannabis establishments as of 02/19/2025. The amendment in the nature of a substitute was adopted unanimously and the bill as amended passed unanimously.
- PR26-33, Clemency Board Waiver Authority Emergency Declaration and underlying Bill 26-306 (Clemency Board Waiver Authority Temporary Amendment Act): The Council amended the Clemency Board Establishment Act to give the District’s Clemency Board authority to grant waivers of the five-year waiting period where the Department of Justice has granted a waiver; the emergency declaration and bill passed unanimously.
- Four temporary measures moved in block: the temporary versions of the residential building-permit classification bill, the Second Chance clarification bill, the unlicensed-establishment enforcement bill (as amended), and the Clemency Board waiver authority bill were moved in block and adopted unanimously.
Most measures were presented by Councilmember McDuffie or by the Chair at the mayor’s request; the General Counsel, Secretary and Budget Director confirmed legal sufficiency, completeness of record and fiscal impacts where queried. For the measures that were checked on fiscal impact in the meeting record, the Budget Director stated there was no fiscal impact.
The Council scheduled its next legislative meeting for Tuesday, April 1, 2025, and noted the mayor’s budget submission is due April 2, with a public budget briefing set for April 4.
