B26-0737 — Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026
Last action — Act A26-0389 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 011170, Expires on Oct 28, 2026
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Council
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✓To Executive
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5Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced July 09, 2026. Enacted.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 1 recorded vote so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
This bill relates to the enforcement of the Certified Business Enterprise Program.
The bill establishes provisions for compliance and enforcement of the Certified Business Enterprise Program. It supports oversight mechanisms to ensure that businesses comply with the program's guidelines.
What this means for you
- Small Business: This means that small businesses involved in the Certified Business Enterprise Program will need to follow established compliance protocols.
Summary
Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
164 added · 170 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendments to the Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005 introduce new definitions and update existing requirements for businesses seeking certification as local enterprises. A key change is that businesses must now be independently owned and operated, which aims to ensure that support goes to genuine local businesses. Additionally, the bill establishes uniform procedures for handling complaints and enforcement, making the process more transparent and consistent. These changes are designed to strengthen oversight and support for local businesses in the District of Columbia.
2ENROLLED __________________________ORIGINAL CouncilmemberAN WendellACT Felder 5 7 9 A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To amend, on an emergency basis, due to congressional review, the Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005 to require a business applying for certification as a local business enterprise to be independently owned and operated, to amend minimum certified business enterprise performance requirements in a certified joint venture, and to establish uniform hearing procedures for enforcement actions.
“(7) “Economically disadvantaged individual” means an individual who owns at least a 51% interest in a business enterprise and whose personal net worth does not exceed the limits set by the federalUnited States Department of Transportation, pursuant to 49 CFR § 26.68.”26.68.”. (2) Paragraph (8A) is amended to read as follows:
“(8A)(2) EquityParagraph impact(8A) enterprise” means a business enterprise that is aamended resident-to ownedread business, small business enterprise, and disadvantaged business enterprise.” (3) Paragraph (9) is redesignated as paragraphfollows: (8B).
“(8A) “Equity impact enterprise” means a business enterprise that is a resident- owned business, small business enterprise, and disadvantaged business enterprise.”.
(3) Paragraph (9) is redesignated as paragraph (8B).
“(10B) “Independently owned and operated” means that the business enterprise manages and controls its day-to-day operations without being subject to control, restriction, ENROLLED ORIGINAL modification, or limitation by another business enterprise or not-for-profit business that has an ownership or other financial interest in the business enterprise.”.
(7) ParagraphA (13B)new paragraph (13A-i) is redesignatedadded asto paragraphread (13C).as follows:
(8)“(13A-i) A“Person” newmeans paragraphany (13B)individual, isfirm, addedpartnership, tojoint readventure, asgeneral follows:partner of a partnership, limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, foreign limited liability partnership, association, corporation, unincorporated business, company, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, executor, administrator, assignee, fiduciary, or entity of any kind.”.
“(13B) “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, general partner of a partnership, limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, foreign limited liability partnership, association, corporation, unincorporated business, company, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, executor, administrator, assignee, fiduciary, or entity of any kind.”.
Official Code § 2-218.46(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking the phrase “the certified business enterprise perform at least 35% of the contracting effort with its own organization and resources and, if it subcontracts, 35% of the subcontracted effort shall be with certified business enterprises.” and inserting the phrase “each certified business enterprise holding a majority or minority interest in the certified joint venture shall, with its own organization and resources, perform a percentage of the work equal to reador asgreater follows:than its percentage interest in the joint venture, and, if the certified joint venture subcontracts, at least 35% of the subcontracted effort shall be with certified business enterprises.” in its place.
“(2)(A) Each government-assisted construction and non-construction contract for which a certified joint venture is selected as a beneficiary and is granted points or a price reduction pursuant to section 2343 or is selected through a set-aside program under this subpart shall include a requirement that each certified business enterprise holding a majority or minority interest in the certified joint venture shall, with its own organization and resources, perform a percentage of the work equal to or greater than its percentage interest in the joint venture, and, if the certified joint venture subcontracts, at least 35% of the subcontracted effort shall be with certified business enterprises.”.
(1) Subsection (c) is amended by striking the phrase “, in accordance with procedures set forth in subsection (e) of this section,”.section, that” and inserting the word “that” in its place.
“(A) A statement detailing the formal complaint, including the name, ENROLLED ORIGINAL address, and telephone number of the person filing the complaint;
“(5) After the completion of an investigation conducted pursuant to this subsection, 99 the Department shall take such enforcement action, if any, it deems appropriate.
“(6) A business enterprise or joint venture whose certification has been revoked shall not be eligible to apply for a new certification from the Department until 36 months after the date ENROLLED ORIGINAL that the revocation became final.
“(ii) If a business enterprise or joint venture timely requests a hearing on a summary suspension, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct the hearing within 14 days after receiving the request, unless a longer period of time is agreed to by the business enterprise or joint venture, and the Office of Administrative Hearings shall issue a decision within 14 days after the record of the hearing closes.”.
Official ENROLLED ORIGINAL Code § 1-204.12(a)).
___________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia _________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 5
View plain text versions (2)
- Enrolled Enrollment Current pdf
- Introduced Introduction pdf
Compared against the D.C. Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.
The bill amends the Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005 to specify ownership requirements for local business enterprises, adjust performance requirements for certified joint ventures, and establish uniform procedures for hearing enforcement actions.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.02
“(7) “Economically disadvantaged individual” means an individual who owns at least a 51% interest in a business enterprise and whose personal net worth does not exceed the limits set by the United States Department of Transportation, pursuant to 49 CFR § 26.68.”.→ “(7) “Economically disadvantaged individual” means an individual who owns at least a 51% interest in a business enterprise and whose personal net worth does not exceed the limits set by the United States Department of Transportation, pursuant to 49 CFR § 26.68.”.No effective change; the paragraph is restated.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.02
“(8A) “Equity impact enterprise” means a business enterprise that is a resident-owned business, small business enterprise, and disadvantaged business enterprise.”.→ “(8A) “Equity impact enterprise” means a business enterprise that is a resident-owned business, small business enterprise, and disadvantaged business enterprise.”.No effective change; the paragraph is restated.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.02
“(9) “Formal complaint” means a complaint that is submitted to the Department in writing, sworn to by the complainant, and notarized.”.→ “(9) “Formal complaint” means a complaint that is submitted to the Department in writing, sworn to by the complainant, and notarized.”.No effective change; the paragraph is restated.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.02
“(10A) “Informal complaint” means a complaint other than a formal complaint and includes complaints submitted in person, by email, by telephone, or through the Department’s complaint hotline.”.→ “(10A) “Informal complaint” means a complaint other than a formal complaint and includes complaints submitted in person, by email, by telephone, or through the Department’s complaint hotline.”.No effective change; the paragraph is restated.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.02
“(10B) “Independently owned and operated” means that the business enterprise manages and controls its day-to-day operations without being subject to control, restriction, modification, or limitation by another business enterprise or not-for-profit business that has an ownership or other financial interest in the business enterprise.”.
Adds a definition of ‘Independently owned and operated’.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.31
“(1A)(A) Is: “(i) Independently owned and operated; “(ii) More than 50% owned, operated, and controlled by a District-based enterprise or not-for-profit business; or “(iii) Owned by a non-District-based business enterprise that is more than 50% owned by District residents;”.
Specifies additional criteria for certification as a local business enterprise.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.46(b)(2)(A)
“the certified business enterprise perform at least 35% of the contracting effort with its own organization and resources and, if it subcontracts, 35% of the subcontracted effort shall be with certified business enterprises.”→ “each certified business enterprise holding a majority or minority interest in the certified joint venture shall, with its own organization and resources, perform a percentage of the work equal to or greater than its percentage interest in the joint venture, and, if the certified joint venture subcontracts, at least 35% of the subcontracted effort shall be with certified business enterprises.”Revises performance requirements for certified joint ventures.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.63(c)
“, in accordance with procedures set forth in subsection (e) of this section, that”→ “that”Simplifies the language of the subsections dealing with enforcement.
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D.C. Official Code § 2-218.63(e)
Amends procedures for formal and informal complaints, including establishing a hotline and outlining dismissal procedures.
Establishes uniform procedures for handling complaints and investigations.
Action History
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Act A26-0389 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 011170, Expires on Oct 28, 2026
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Returned from Mayor
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Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0389, Expires on Oct 28, 2026
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Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Aug 06, 2026
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Legislative Meeting
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Retained by the Council
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B26-0737 Introduced by Councilmember Felder at Office of the Secretary
Sponsors
- Wendell Felder · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 13 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (13)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anita Bonds | — | Not Voting |
| Brianne K. Nadeau | — | Yea |
| Brooke Pinto | — | Yea |
| Charles Allen | — | Yea |
| Christina Henderson | — | Yea |
| Doni Crawford | — | Yea |
| Janeese Lewis George | — | Yea |
| Matthew Frumin | — | Yea |
| Phil Mendelson | — | Yea |
| Robert C. White, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Trayon White, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Wendell Felder | — | Yea |
| Zachary Parker | — | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does B26-0737 do?
- Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026
- Who sponsors B26-0737?
- B26-0737 is sponsored by Wendell Felder.
- What is the current status of B26-0737?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced July 09, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track B26-0737?
- Track B26-0737 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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