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District of ColumbiaB26-0200Council Period 26 (2025-2026)House

Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Phil Mendelson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Closed sessions for public safety threats

Public bodies may meet in private to plan specific methods to protect people from terrorist acts or other big health and safety dangers. Staff, lawyers, police, or emergency officials may brief them in closed session when disclosure would risk harm. The body may take action on those protection methods. This temporary law expires 225 days after it takes effect.

Live or prompt access to meetings

Public bodies must make reasonable arrangements so people can attend. They must take steps reasonably calculated to let the public watch or listen while the meeting happens. If live access is not feasible, they must provide it as soon as reasonably practicable. This temporary law expires 225 days after it takes effect.

Council–Mayor meetings can be private

Meetings between the Council and the Mayor do not have to be open if no official action is decided. They may talk privately but cannot make final decisions at the meeting. This temporary law expires 225 days after it takes effect.

Looser notice rules for urgent meetings

Public bodies now only have to attempt to provide meeting notice. The law also shortens and clarifies exception wording. Urgent matters can override some notice rules so action can be taken quickly. This may mean less advance notice for the public. This temporary law expires 225 days after it takes effect.

More government gatherings count as meetings

The law broadens what counts as a public meeting to include hearings, roundtables, and in-person, phone, or electronic gatherings of a quorum. Chance social events and press conferences do not count. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is now covered. For the Council, the term covers legislative and committee meetings where votes are taken, and the Council may set its own rules; if not, the Open Meetings Act applies. This temporary law expires 225 days after it takes effect.

Votes must be recorded, not roll call

Votes no longer must be taken by roll call. The law only requires that votes are recorded. This can keep a record while allowing different methods. This temporary law expires 225 days after it takes effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Phil Mendelson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 26 • No: 9

House vote • 6/3/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 9 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote • 5/6/2025

Postponed to

Yes: 7 • No: 5

House vote • 4/1/2025

First Reading

Yes: 10 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Law L26-0024, Effective from Aug 16, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 009563, Expires on Mar 29, 2026

    9/12/2025House

  2. Transmitted to Congress

    7/7/2025House

  3. Act A26-0086 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 007532

    7/4/2025House

  4. Returned from Mayor

    6/26/2025House

  5. Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0086

    6/26/2025House

  6. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jun 25, 2025

    6/10/2025House

  7. Legislative Meeting

    6/3/2025House

  8. Legislative Meeting

    5/6/2025House

  9. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0200 Published in the District of Columbia Register

    4/4/2025House

  10. Legislative Meeting

    4/1/2025House

  11. Retained by the Council

    4/1/2025House

  12. B26-0200 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

    3/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrollment

    6/3/2025

    PDF

  • Amendment

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossment

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    3/28/2025

    PDF

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