District of ColumbiaB26-0208Council Period 26 (2025-2026)House

Open Meetings Clarification Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Phil Mendelson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Clearer rules for public meeting coverage

A public-body meeting includes a quorum gathering to consider, conduct, or advise on public business, in any communication format. Covered activities include hearings, gathering information, discussion, recommendations, and votes; social gatherings, chance gatherings, and press conferences are excluded. For the D.C. Council, meetings include regular or additional legislative meetings and committee meetings where members vote. The law also extends the relevant Council rule to gatherings of councilmembers. Text messages receive the same treatment as email exchanges under the communication rule.

Public meeting access when technology fails

Public bodies must take reasonable steps to let people watch or hear meetings as they happen. If live access is not technologically possible, they must provide access as soon afterward as reasonably practical. The law also requires the action covered by the amended record rule to be recorded instead of taken by roll call. The supplied text does not identify which actions that recording rule covers.

Council–Mayor talks exempt without official decisions

Meetings between D.C. Councilmembers and the Mayor are exempt from the Open Meetings Act when no official action is decided. Meetings that decide official action do not qualify for this exception.

Criminal justice council meetings become exempt

The D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is exempt from the Open Meetings Act. Its meetings are not subject to the Act’s public-meeting requirements.

Less certain notice of public meetings

Public bodies must attempt to give meeting notice, replacing the prior requirement to provide notice subject to exceptions. The law also changes notice exceptions, including one for urgent matters that overrides specified notice requirements. The supplied text does not give the full notice period or all exception details.

Council gathering disclosures and rule flexibility

New disclosure rules cover unannounced Council quorum gatherings about public business when advance notice was not otherwise required. The convener must notify the appropriate Council officer within 24 business hours after the gathering. The Council must post the date, approximate time, and topic online within 24 business hours after receiving notice. The Council may also adopt its own gathering rules, which must meet the District’s open-meetings policy. The Open Meetings Act applies to the Council unless it adopts those rules.

Private briefings for serious safety threats

Public bodies may receive private briefings about methods to protect people or the body from existing or potential terrorism. The exception also covers other substantial dangers to public health and safety. Briefings may come from staff, legal counsel, law enforcement, or emergency service officials. A briefing may be closed when disclosing the information could endanger the public or the public body.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Phil Mendelson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 44 • No: 4

House vote • 6/23/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 10 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote • 6/23/2026

Other

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 6/2/2026