On Tuesday, October 16, 2018, the Council convened a Committee of the Whole meeting. During the meeting the Council unanimously voted to agendize Councilmember Cheh’s Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 that would prohibit the sale or use of gas-powered leaf blowers and mandate the use of battery powered blowers. If approved, the bill would become effective January 1, 2022. Other bills agendized were the Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018 that would extend and/or eliminate the statute of limitations on certain criminal and sexual abuse cases and the Fare Evasion Decriminalization Amendment Act of 2018 that would decriminalize transit fare evasion, making it a civil offense. All of these bills will be placed on the November 13, 2018 legislative agenda for first reading and vote.
The legislative meeting immediately followed the COW. During the meeting, the Council considered a number of emergency measures, ceremonial resolutions, and contracts in addition to first and final readings of legislation under Council review. Of particular interest was postponement of the final vote on the Short-term Rental Regulation and Affordable Housing Protection Act of 2018, by Council Chair Phil Mendelson, due to a several questions posed by Councilmembers and DC DFO Jeffrey DeWitt concerning zoning regulations and fiscal estimates. The bill according to the Chairman will be placed on the November 13, 2018 agenda for final reading and vote. Expect some amendments from members of the Council including one that would amend the effective date from January 1, 2019 to October 1, 2019 (Mendelson); permit homeowners with second homes to use those homes for home-sharing; and a hardship exemption that would increase the 90-day max for homeowners who travel a lot for work.
Some additional highlights from the meeting:
Emergency Measures
• Clarification of Hospital Closure Procedure Emergency Amendment Act of 2018 – passed
Final Reading
• Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact of 2018 (B22-112) – passed
• Access to Treatment for Anaphylaxis Act of 2018 (B22-196) – passed
• Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act of 2018 – passed
Legislative Schedule
The remaining Legislative meetings for council period 22 are scheduled for:
• Tuesday, November 13
• Tuesday, December 4 (Recess – December 23 through December 31)
Councilmember Jack Evans
B22-1009 - Salary Adjustment Amendment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would increase the salaries of the Mayor, Chairman of the Council and the Attorney General.
Co-Introducers:
Co-Sponsors:
Committee-Referral: Committee on Government Operations
B22-1008 - Charter School Property Tax Clarification Amendment Act of 2018
The legislation would exempt from taxation certain properties owned or leased by Shaed School, LLC.
Co-Introducers:
Co-Sponsors:
Committee-Referral: Committee on Finance and Revenue
Councilmember Mary Cheh
B22-1013 - Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Amendment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would require the Mayor, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, DC Office on Aging and the Commission on Aging to interpret groups of greatest social need to include LGBTQ seniors and seniors with HIV for the purpose of allocating funds provided to the District under the federal Older Americans Act.
Co-Introducers: Bonds
Co-Sponsors: Allen, Evans, McDuffie, Todd, Gray, Nadeau, R. White, Grosso, Silverman, T. White, Mendelson
Committee-Referral: Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety with comments from the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization
B22-1012 - Eviction Record Sealing Authority Amendment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would prohibit housing providers from filing claims to recover possession of a rental unit for the non-payment of rent unless providing the tenant 30 days notices of their intent to do so. The bill would also require the Court to seal certain eviction records.
Co-Introducers: Bonds
Co-Sponsors: Allen, Nadeau, Grosso, and Silverman
Committee-Referral: Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization and Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
B22-1014 - Limitations on Products Containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Amendment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would prohibit the sale or use of sealant products containing more than de minims levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Co-Introducers: Bonds
Co-Sponsors: Grosso
Committee-Referral: Committee on Transportation and the Environment
Councilmember David Grosso
B22-1015 - Special Education Rights for Youth Defendants Amendment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would establish a panel of special education attorneys to represent students with identified special education needs who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Co-Introducers: Nadeau, R. White, Gray, Evans, Allen, Cheh, McDuffie, and T. White
Co-Sponsors:
Committee-Referral: Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
B22-1016 - Health Impact Assessment Program Establishment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would establish a health impact assessment program within the Department of Health to evaluate the potential health effects of proposed projects on individuals and communities and to support health communities, healthy community design, and development that promotes physical and mental health by encouraging healthy behaviors, quality of life, social connectedness, safety and equity.
Co-Introducers: Nadeau, Gray, Todd
Co-Sponsors: Allen, Bonds
Committee-Referral: Committee on Health
Councilmember Elissa Silverman
B22-1017 - Student Loan Authority Establishment Act of 2018
As introduced, the bill would establish a finance authority in the District to provide new student loans and refinance existing student loans.
Co-Introducers: Cheh, Nadeau, Grosso, Bonds, Allen, and T. White
Co-Sponsors: Evans, Gray
Committee-Referral: Committee on Education and Committee on Finance and Revenue
Chairman Phil Mendelson
PR22-1054 - Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Submission Requirements Resolution of 2018
As introduced the resolution would establish the date by which the Mayor shall submit to the Council the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020. According to the bill, the Mayor shall submit to the Council, and make available to the public, the proposed budget, not later than March 20, 2019.
Co-Introducers:
Co-Sponsors:
Committee-Referral: Retained by the Council
Chairman Mendelson at the Request of the Mayor
B22-1010 - Autonomous Vehicle Amendment Act of 2018
Introduced on October 15, 2018. The legislation would empower the Mayor to approve motor vehicles involved in pilot projects that do not meet present National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Standards but have obtained a waiver from NHTSA for such purposes; while still allowing the testing and deployment of motor vehicles that meet the present statutory requirements.
Co-Introducers:
Co-Sponsors:
Committee-Referral: Committee on Transportation and the Environment
Chairman Mendelson at the Request of the Office of the Attorney General
B22-1007 - Abatement and Condemnation of Nuisance Properties Amendment Act of 2018
Introduced on October 12, 2018. The legislation would clarify the basis for the appointment of a receiver in slumlord cases; authorize OAG to issue subpoenas for documents and testimony as part of a receivership investigation; and require the Court to monitor the execution of a landlord’s plan to abate housing code violations.
Co-Introducers:
Co-Sponsors:
Committee-Referral: Committee of the Whole