District of ColumbiaB26-0261Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Portion Budget Request Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Phil Mendelson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Funding and new CSOSA budget rules

The law provides $310.84 million to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency. $218.01 million is for community supervision and sex offender registration, and $92.83 million is for Pretrial Services. Funds can support incentives for people to finish supervision. CSOSA must send its annual budget to the Mayor and Council before sending it to Congress and OMB, and it appears in the President’s budget without revision.

Funding and updates for D.C. courts

The law funds D.C. courts and defense services. It provides $282.076 million for court operations and $76.49 million for building projects available through September 30, 2027. It gives $59.305 million to the Public Defender Service and $46.005 million for appointed counsel. Courts can keep bar exam and admission fees for related costs. The law also updates court and PDS pay programs, lets PDS use federal shared services and modern contracting, requires PDS to send its budget to the Mayor and Council first, and adopts rules to reduce judicial vacancies.

Justice data upgrades and reentry help

The law gives $8.2 million to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, including $5.45 million for the Justice Information System through September 30, 2027. It also adopts the Returning Citizens Coordination Act to improve reentry services for people coming home from prison.

Safer transit through WMATA repairs

The law provides $158 million to WMATA for capital and preventive maintenance projects in its plan. The funds stay available until spent. This supports safer and more reliable transit service for riders.

More college help for D.C. students

The law funds college help for D.C. residents. It adds $40 million for the Resident Tuition Support Program to pay the in‑state/out‑of‑state gap at public schools or up to $2,500 a year at eligible private schools. It provides $52.5 million for Opportunity Scholarships, and schools must certify civil rights and disability protections to receive funds. It raises two College Access Act limits from $10,000 to $15,000 and from $50,000 to $75,000, and it ratably reduces payments for students getting more than $10,000. It also provides $600,000 for D.C. National Guard retention and college access.

Support for HIV testing and care

The law provides $4 million for HIV and AIDS testing and treatment in D.C. The money funds programs that deliver testing and care, not cash to households.

Extra pay for early educators

The law provides $5 million for extra wages for early childhood educators at child care centers sponsored by federal agencies. The money goes to the pay equity fund and stays available until spent. Only educators at these federally sponsored centers can get this pay boost.

National Children's Museum rules updated

The law adopts the National Children's Museum Act into D.C. law. It updates how the museum is treated under local law. This is an administrative change, not a cash benefit.

More funding for DC Water upgrades

The law provides $20 million to DC Water for sewer overflow control projects. DC Water must provide a 100% match to use this money. Funds stay available until spent.

Security funding for major D.C. events

The law provides $71 million for public safety at events tied to the National Capital. The Mayor decides spending after written consultation with nearby elected officials. Funds stay available until spent and can support U.S. Secret Service requests and urgent threat responses.

Research upgrades at UDC

The law gives $10 million to the University of the District of Columbia to improve research buildings and equipment. Funds stay available until spent. This supports researchers and students through better facilities.

Sales tax at federal building shops

Sales at certain shops in federal buildings are now subject to D.C. sales and use tax. This includes gift shops, kiosks, cafeterias, museum stores, and similar places, including some federal enterprises. You pay the same tax as you would at similar nonprofit‑run stores.

D.C. elections board grows to five

The law expands the D.C. Board of Elections to five members. No more than three can be from the same party. The Mayor appoints members with Council approval, with staggered initial terms.

New rules for D.C. budget process

The Council adopts the federal part of the D.C. budget after one reading and sends it to the President without changes, though recommendations are allowed. The Mayor may request any federal resources needed to run the budget or meet federal obligations. Spending over $500,000 from the contingency reserve now needs Council approval. The CFO is paid at the higher of a federal cap or a D.C. rate that cannot be cut while serving. The Council Chairman may submit Acts electronically.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Phil Mendelson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 7/1/2025

Final Reading, CC