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District of ColumbiaB26-0109Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Christina Henderson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Grants and fee relief for markets

The Department of Health runs a farmers market support program. It helps with permits, licensing, and taking SNAP and other benefits. It maps market locations, promotes markets in low food access areas, and can buy equipment or offer rides or delivery help. The law sets at least $250,000 each year for a farmers market grant program in low food access areas. Grants can fund equipment, staffing, longer cold‑season operations, safety and cleanup, wholesale or subscription buys, and customer incentives like benefit matching or coupons. Existing markets and groups planning to open in a low food access area can apply, with preference for locally grown produce and District‑owned vendors. The Mayor must waive all licensing, permitting, and temporary parking restriction fees for markets in, or applying to be in, a low food access area.

One-stop online permits for markets

Beginning January 1, 2028, the District runs a single online portal for market licensing and permits. You submit all documents once and the system shares them with all reviewing agencies. The portal shows status, lists missing items, and alerts you when each permit is approved. The Mayor also posts the standard licensing and permit requirements online.

Who counts as a farmers market

The law defines farmers markets, farm stands, and mobile markets. A farmers market is at a fixed site, has at least two vendors including a farmer, runs at least six times a year, and at least half the vendors sell locally grown or locally processed foods directly to customers. A farm stand is one farmer at a fixed site, also at least six times a year, with at least half of sales direct and local or value‑added farm products. A mobile market is a traveling farm stand that serves two or more fixed locations at least six times a year. A low food access area means a census tract where over 20% of households earn no more than 185% of the federal poverty level and at least 500 people or 33% of residents live more than 0.5 miles or a 10‑minute walk from a grocery store. The law also replaces the phrase “food deserts” with “low food access areas.”

New rules and permits for markets

Vending rules that cover public markets now also cover farmers markets, farm stands, and mobile markets. The Mayor can require permits for markets on public space and can require market managers to be licensed on public or private space. These steps may add compliance work and possible fees, but they also make rules and protections more consistent across markets.

Budget timing for market programs

Sections 2, 3, and 4(a) and (b) only apply once their costs are included in an approved budget and financial plan. The Chief Financial Officer certifies the date and sends it to the Council’s Budget Director. The Budget Director publishes the notice in the DC Register. The publication date does not change when the sections apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christina Henderson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 23 • No: 0

House vote • 6/17/2025

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2025

First Reading, CC

Yes: 11 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Law L26-0027, Effective from Aug 23, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 009566

    9/12/2025House

  2. Transmitted to Congress

    7/14/2025House

  3. Act A26-0095 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 007661

    7/11/2025House

  4. Returned from Mayor

    7/8/2025House

  5. Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0095

    7/7/2025House

  6. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jul 09, 2025

    6/24/2025House

  7. Legislative Meeting

    6/17/2025House

  8. Legislative Meeting

    6/3/2025House

  9. Committee Report Filed by the Health Committee, Includes Hearing Record

    5/13/2025House

  10. Committee Mark-up of B26-0109 by the Health Committee

    5/9/2025House

  11. Notice of Mark-up filed in the Office of Secretary

    4/30/2025House

  12. Public Hearing on B26-0109

    3/17/2025House

  13. Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register

    2/28/2025House

  14. Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary

    2/24/2025House

  15. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0109 Published in the District of Columbia Register

    2/7/2025House

  16. Referred to Committee on Health with comments from the Committee on Public Works and Operations

    2/4/2025House

  17. B26-0109 Introduced by Councilmember Henderson at Office of the Secretary

    1/31/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrollment

    6/17/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossment

    6/3/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/31/2025

    PDF

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