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District of ColumbiaB26-0633Council Period 26 (2025-2026)House

Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Phil Mendelson (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Public bodies must arrange meeting access

Beginning March 29, 2026, District public bodies must make reasonable arrangements for attendance or steps allowing public viewing or listening. Those steps must aim to provide access while the meeting happens. If live viewing or listening is not technologically feasible, access must follow as soon as reasonably practical.

Weaker meeting notice and roll-call rules

Beginning March 29, 2026, District public bodies must attempt to provide meeting notice rather than be required to provide it. The amended urgent-matter rule applies despite the notice requirements in paragraphs (1) and (3). The supplied text does not explain those requirements further. Where the law previously required roll-call votes, votes must now be recorded instead.

Boards get more time before reporting

The law delays a financial reporting requirement for covered District boards and commissions until October 17, 2026. That requirement does not apply before that date. The supplied text does not state what information they must report.

District Council gets rules and exemptions

Beginning March 29, 2026, the District Council can adopt its own rules to meet the District's open-meetings policy. The Open Meetings Act applies unless the Council adopts those rules. An existing requirement also expands from Council meetings to meetings and gatherings of Council members. The supplied text does not explain that requirement's other terms. Meetings between Council members and the Mayor are exempt from the Act only when no official action is decided.

Public bodies can close safety briefings

Beginning March 29, 2026, District public bodies can privately discuss and act on specific protection methods and procedures. These must address existing or potential terrorism or other serious public health and safety dangers. Private briefings can come from staff, lawyers, law enforcement, or emergency officials. This exception applies only when disclosure could endanger the public or the public body.

Which District meetings must be open

The law takes effect March 29, 2026, and expires 225 days after taking effect. A gathering generally counts as a meeting when a quorum considers, conducts, or advises on public business, regardless of communication method. A quorum means enough members to conduct business. Chance or social gatherings are excluded unless held to evade the law; press conferences are also excluded. For the District Council, covered meetings include regular or additional legislative meetings and committee meetings where votes occur. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council also becomes subject to open-meeting rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Phil Mendelson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 19 • No: 5

House vote • 5/5/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 11 • No: 2

House vote • 3/31/2026

First Reading

Yes: 8 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Law L26-0153, Effective from Aug 01, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 011316, Expires on Mar 14, 2027

    8/14/2026House

  2. Transmitted to Congress

    6/18/2026House

  3. Act A26-0331 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 008185

    6/5/2026House

  4. Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0331

    5/30/2026House

  5. Returned from Mayor

    5/29/2026House

  6. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on May 29, 2026

    5/14/2026House

  7. Legislative Meeting

    5/5/2026House

  8. Legislative Meeting

    3/31/2026House

  9. Retained by the Council

    3/31/2026House

  10. B26-0633 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

    3/30/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrollment

    5/5/2026

    PDF

  • Engrossment

    3/31/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    3/30/2026

    PDF

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