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Committee hears that proposed 7.7% cut to Office of Administrative Hearings would deepen backlog
Summary
Witnesses and OAH leaders told the Committee on Public Works and Operations that the mayor's proposed FY27 7.7% net reduction — driven by personnel and nonpersonnel cuts — risks longer delays for residents seeking adjudication and would force vacancy-driven staffing choices.
Chair Brianne Nadeau opened a budget oversight hearing on April 20 to review the mayor's FY27 proposal for the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Chief Administrative Law Judge Colleen M. Curry told the committee that OAH's proposed gross budget is about $12,298,107, which includes $300,000 in Medicaid grant funds, and that roughly 95% of that amount pays personnel costs.
"OAH's fiscal year '27 proposed gross budget is approximately $12,298,107 and comprises entirely local funds and $300,000 in Medicaid grant funds," Curry said. She and witnesses warned the committee that the net 7.7% decrease from FY26 includes an $843,000 reduction in personnel services and significant cuts to nonpersonnel services that could slow adjudication.
Public witnesses from the DC Access to Justice Commission, Legal Aid DC, the Washington Council of Lawyers and others emphasized real-world consequences for residents. Legal Aid's Jen Jenkins cited large increases in open cases among low-income clients and urged the council to restore staffing and technology funding. Children's Law Center asked the committee to consider an additional $1.5 million to expand capacity for adjudicating time-sensitive cases that affect children.
Judge Curry said OAH would likely have to maintain a vacancy rate equivalent to about 11.5% of its personnel limit under the proposed budget and that, absent restorations, the agency expects closure rates to remain roughly where they are now — around 65% rather than the 100% rate needed to eliminate backlog. The committee set a May 4 deadline for written testimony and indicated it will continue budget oversight across multiple hearings.
