PRIA Logo™
District of ColumbiaB26-0207Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Certification loss brings limits and appeals

After revocation becomes final, a business or joint venture cannot apply for new certification for 36 months. The Department can lift a suspension or reissue certification sooner if this serves the District's interest and protects public health, safety, and welfare. It must consider satisfactory proof that the causes were corrected; reissuance ends the waiting period. After investigation, the Department can immediately suspend certification when a violation creates imminent danger to a person or the public. The notice must explain the reason and hearing rights. With a timely request, the hearing must occur within 14 days after receipt, unless the business agrees to a longer hearing period. A decision is due within 14 days after the hearing record closes.

Certified businesses must perform their share

Each certified business in a certified joint venture must perform work at least equal to its ownership percentage. This applies to majority and minority partners, using their own organization and resources. It replaces the prior blanket 50% work requirement for the certified business. If the venture subcontracts work, certified businesses must perform at least 35% of that subcontracted effort.

New qualification rules for disadvantaged businesses

Economically disadvantaged owners must own at least 51% of a business and meet the federal transportation department's personal net worth limit. The law references 49 C.F.R. § 26.68 rather than stating a dollar limit. An equity impact enterprise must be resident-owned, small, and disadvantaged; all three conditions apply. These temporary amendments take effect after mayoral approval and a 30-day congressional review, and expire 225 days after taking effect.

Ownership paths for certified joint ventures

Joint ventures seeking certification must meet one of three ownership paths. One path requires independent ownership and operation. That means daily management is free from control or limits by another business or nonprofit with an ownership or financial interest. Another path requires more than 50% ownership, operation, and control by a District-based business or nonprofit. The third allows ownership by a non-District business that is more than 50% owned by District residents.

Business hearings require action within 10 days

Before civil penalties or certification denial, suspension, change, or revocation, the Department must explain its action and any proposed penalty. Its notice must explain how and when to request a hearing. Affected parties have 10 days after receiving notice to request an Office of Administrative Hearings hearing. Missing that deadline makes the action final and gives up judicial review. At hearings, the Department must show the violation more likely occurred than not; the hearing decision is final for judicial review. The Department must publish final suspension and revocation notices on its website.

Complaint channels for business certification violations

Anyone can report a suspected certification-program violation in person, by email, by phone, or through a required Department hotline. Formal complaints must be written, sworn to, and notarized. The Department must investigate unless it dismisses a complaint as frivolous or without merit. It must record formal complaints, including the complainant, date, and description, and report why it dismisses a formal complaint. After investigating, it can take enforcement action it considers appropriate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Phil Mendelson

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 23 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2025

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 11 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 5/6/2025

First Reading

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Law L26-0025, Effective from Aug 16, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 009564, Expires on Mar 29, 2026

    9/12/2025House

  2. Transmitted to Congress

    7/7/2025House

  3. Act A26-0087 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 007536

    7/4/2025House

  4. Returned from Mayor

    6/26/2025House

  5. Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0087

    6/26/2025House

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

    6/10/2025House

  7. Legislative Meeting

    6/3/2025House

  8. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0207 Published in the District of Columbia Register

    5/9/2025House

  9. Legislative Meeting

    5/6/2025House

  10. Legislative Meeting

    4/1/2025House

  11. Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Business and Economic Development

    4/1/2025House

  12. B26-0207 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

    3/26/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrollment

    6/3/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossment

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    3/26/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation