Mayor Bowser Advances Fall Legislation

(Washington, DC) Since coming into office, Mayor Bowser has worked with the DC Council to lower crime and unemployment while increasing student achievement and making Washington, DC a great place to work and do business. With the Council back in session, the Mayor has submitted the following legislation to build on the city’s progress.

Education and Out of School Time: After ten years of education reform in Washington, DC, graduation and achievement rates are up and education continues to be a top priority for Mayor Bowser. In her Fiscal Year 2018 Budget, the Mayor invested $1.74 billion in public education, an increase of $121 million over last year’s budget and the largest investment in public education in the city’s history.

• Parks and Recreation License Plate Establishment Act: this legislation would authorize the Mayor to create a new license plate that reflects making DC Parks and Recreation centers a priority; to receive these plates residents would pay a one-time fee and an biannual renewal fee
• Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Washington Teachers Union (WTU) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) and Funding Approval: would approve CBA between WTU and DCPS and funding for agreement, charters, and other labor agreements
• Keene School Disposition and Lease Approval: approves lease of Keene School to a DC public charter school
• Jackson School Disposition and Lease Approval: approves long-term lease to Jackson Arts Center

Doing Business in DC: Mayor Bowser has committed to making DC a global model for inclusive prosperity by investing in and supporting the growth of minority-, women-, and veteran-owned small businesses in underserved neighborhoods across Washington, DC.

• Medical Marijuana Authorized Number of Dispensaries Increase Rulemaking Approval Resolution of 2017: increases the number of dispensaries registered to operate in the District from six to seven
• District of Columbia Cottage Food Regulations Approval Resolution of 2017: approves regulations establishing regulatory oversight structure for the District' s cottage food business
• Nurse Staffing Agency Amendment Act of 2017: clarifies that agencies are not required to be licensed as nurse staffing agencies in order to refer workers from a registry

An Age-Friendly DC: Through the citywide Age-Friendly DC initiative, the Bowser Administration has worked with the World Health Organization to transform Washington, DC into an easier place to grow older by providing residents and visitors of all ages opportunities to thrive and live a purposeful life.

• Protection of Seniors and Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act: provides new tools to help detect and prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, including mandatory reporting to the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking and Adult Protective Services (APS) when an investment adviser or broker suspects financial exploitation of an eligible adult

Inclusive Prosperity: In March, Mayor Bowser unveiled DC’s Economic Strategy, a framework for how Washington, DC will continue its work as an international leader for inclusive economic growth and resilience. By taking a broad approach to economic opportunity, the Administration is committed to ensuring that residents in all eight wards benefit from the city’s prosperity.

• MLK Gateway Surplus and Disposition Resolutions: this well-located development will maintain the historic storefronts along Good Hope Road at the corner of MLK Avenue, and the project will consist of approximately 28,000 square-feet of new commercial office space and 15,000 square-feet of retail space. The proposed development is expected to bring over 200 jobs and long-awaited retail and amenities to the community
• Great Streets Technical Fix: would streamline statutory authority
• 2018 Unemployment Compensation Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount Increase Approval Resolution of 2017: approval resolution to approve increase the maximum weekly benefit to $432, effective January 2018
• Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between DGS and FOP/Protective Services Approval Resolution: CBA approval resolution
• Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between DBH and Interns and Residents: CBA approval resolution
• Restrictions on Use of Credit Information Amendment Act: would limit insurers’ use of negative credit information related to medical codes and the lack of credit information in the process of issuing, renewing, or canceling a property and casualty insurance policy
• Financial Services Consumer Protection Act: would regulate several classifications of non-depository financial services institutions that are not currently regulated, including: debt collectors, third party servicers and retail sellers

Building a Safer, Stronger DC: Mayor Bowser’s top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of District residents. Through making investments in public safety and infrastructure, crime is down, streets and alleys are being brought into a state of good repair, and we continue to build a more resilient city.

• Police Officer Retention Amendment Act of 2017: fixes the end date of the program to avoid mass expiration of senior officer tenures and allow force levels to remain in place
• Captive Insurance Agency Amendment Act of 2017: insurance mitigates losses sustained by the District as a result of cyber incidents, including data breaches and network damage
• Subrogation Fund Establishment Act of 2017: establishes a subrogation fund for the District