Council adopts Rules of Organization and committee assignments, names Anita Bonds chair pro tem

After approving the appointment of Donnie Crawford, Chairman Mendelson moved a second resolution to amend the Council’s Rules of Organization and Procedure and to assign committee chairpersons and memberships. The resolution reallocated matters previously handled by the Committee on Business and Economic Development across several committees and specified which agencies and boards fall under each committee’s jurisdiction.

Mendelson outlined key assignments: the Committee of the Whole will retain the Chief Financial Officer and tax-related commissions; a subcommittee (to be chaired by Councilmember Felder) will handle certain business- and neighborhood-related agencies. The Committee on Public Works and Operations will take oversight of professional licensing boards and Alcohol Beverage Cannabis Administration; the Committee on Youth Affairs will add the Combat Sports Commission and Commission on Nightlife. The Committee on Health will include the Department of Insurance and Small Business and the Board of Funeral Directors. The Committee on Transportation and Environment will oversee the Public Service Commission and the Office of People’s Counsel. The Committee on Executive Administration and Labor will cover Events DC and Destination DC; the Committee on Human Services will have oversight of the Lottery and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

The resolution also places the new council member Donnie Crawford on the Executive Administration and Labor Committee, the Judiciary Committee, Transportation and Environment, Youth Affairs, and related subcommittees. Chairman Mendelson named Councilmember Anita Bonds as Chair Pro Tem.

Councilmember Parker asked for clarification about whether Crawford would join the Youth Affairs Committee; Mendelson confirmed that she would. With no further discussion the council voted; the ayes carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:41 p.m.