District of ColumbiaB26-0421Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Soul of the City Business Improvement District Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Trayon White Sr. (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

New BID taxes start April 2026

The law creates the Soul of the City Business Improvement District once the Mayor approves it. Starting April 1, 2026, properties inside the approved boundary pay BID taxes. The boundary is fixed to the listed squares and lots as of January 22, 2026. Rates: Class 2 (not hotels) pay $0.18 per $100 of assessed value each year. Hotels and motels pay $120 per room each year. Class 1A rentals with 5 or more units placed in service after the 1985 Rental Housing Act pay $120 per unit each year. All other Class 1A and all Class 1B property are exempt. The BID can raise its rates by 3% each year, unless limited by law.

BID tax break for affordable units

Residential units in the BID are exempt from the BID tax if they are income‑restricted under a federal or DC housing program. The household must be at or below 100% of area median income. The BID must identify and certify the unit to approve the exemption.

BID tax break for safety spending

A property in the BID is exempt from the BID tax for the next taxable year if the owner spent over $250,000 in the prior year on safety work. The work must enhance public space next to the property or add retail security for that property. The BID must certify the spending based on satisfactory proof. This applies to BID taxes beginning April 1, 2026.

Lessee pays BID tax on exempt land

If a building in the BID sits on tax‑exempt land under a ground lease, the BID counts the building and the leasehold interest when setting the tax. The lessee or user pays the BID tax, not the tax‑exempt owner. The tax is collected like other possessory interest taxes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Trayon White Sr.
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

Other

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 1/6/2026

First Reading, CC

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Law Number L26-0110 Effective from Apr 16, 2026
4/16/2026House
Act A26-0264 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 003126
3/6/2026House
Transmitted to Congress
3/5/2026House
Returned from Mayor
3/3/2026House
Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0264
3/2/2026House
Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Mar 03, 2026
2/17/2026House
Legislative Meeting
2/3/2026House
Legislative Meeting
1/6/2026House
Committee Report Filed by the Business and Economic Development Committee, Includes Hearing Record
12/17/2025House
Committee Mark-up of B26-0421 by the Business and Economic Development Committee
12/17/2025House
Notice of Mark-up filed in the Office of Secretary
12/15/2025House
Public Hearing on B26-0421
12/3/2025House
Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
11/14/2025House
Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Business and Economic Development
11/12/2025House
Referred to Committee on Business and Economic Development
10/21/2025House
Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0421 Published in the District of Columbia Register
10/10/2025House
B26-0421 Introduced by Councilmember T. White at Office of the Secretary
10/6/2025House

Bill Text

Amendment
2/3/2026
PDF
Enrollment
2/3/2026
PDF
Engrossment
1/6/2026
PDF
Introduced
10/6/2025
PDF

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