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Sponsor asks to hold bill that would codify joint agency investigative team; administration says the JAG already exists
Summary
Council member Fisher introduced CB 50 to create a DPIE investigative unit (JAG) to coordinate multi-agency enforcement on problematic properties; the county executive's office said JAG already operates and opposed codification. Sponsor agreed to work on amendments and the committee voted to hold the bill for further negotiation.
Council member Fisher introduced CB 50, a bill proposing an investigative unit within the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) to coordinate multi-agency enforcement on properties with multiple concurrent violations. She described the measure as a way to formalize a joint agency effort and to provide a referral form and annual reporting.
DPIE Chief of Staff Laurie Paris and county representatives said a Joint Agency Group (JAG) already exists and that the administration prefers to address the sponsor's concerns administratively rather than by statute. Lieutenant Owens said the executive branch's position was "no position" initially but explained the administration's concern that codification could represent an overreach into executive operations.
Council member Fisher emphasized examples of properties requiring multiple agencies and said the bill's aim was to make the process more consistent and durable across administrations. DPIE said it had developed a referral form to be distributed to council members and that JAG meets monthly to discuss cases, inspections and coordinated enforcement. The committee debated whether the bill should require an investigative unit or simply recognize the existing JAG and allow council referrals.
After discussion and a request from the sponsor to work on amendments with the administration, the committee voted 4-0 to hold CB 50 for further amendment so that staff and the executive branch can negotiate language and distribution of the referral form.
