B26-0771 — Tax Sale Equity Amendment Act of 2026

Summary

Tax Sale Equity Amendment Act of 2026

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduction Current pdf

Compared against the D.C. Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends various sections of the D.C. Code to update the tax sale process, including changes to attorney fees, redemption periods, and notice requirements.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1330

  business improvement district. → business improvement district and the Recorder of Deeds.

  Expands the definition of 'taxing agency' to include the Recorder of Deeds.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1330

  “(9)(A) The term “cost-of-living adjustment” for the reasonable attorneys’ fees allowed under § 47-1377(a)(1)(B)(i) means an amount equal to the maximum reimbursable dollar amount of the reasonable attorneys’ fees, as modified by any prior cost-of-living adjustments, multiplied by the difference between the Consumer Price Index for the preceding real property tax year and the Consumer Price Index for the real property tax year beginning October 1, 2024, divided by the Consumer Price Index for the real property tax year beginning October 1, 2024. (B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the Consumer Price Index for any real property tax year is the average of the Consumer Price Index for the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Statistical Area for all urban consumers published by the Department of Labor, or any successor index, as of the close of the 12-month period ending on September 30 of such real property tax year.”.

  Defines 'cost-of-living adjustment' for attorney fees in relation to the Consumer Price Index.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1336

  “(C-i) An owner or interested party may redeem the real property by making the payments listed in § 47-1361(a), or may claim the equity in the real property under § 47-1376(b)(3) within 90 days of being served;”.

  Allows property owners to redeem real property by claiming equity within 90 days of service.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1353

  periods and amounts → amount

  Clarifies that only the amount needs to be stated, not the time periods.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1353.01

  an additional $381.50 → an additional $531.50

  Increases the additional fees on redemption from $381.50 to $531.50.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1353.01

  to obtain title to the property. → to obtain title to the property or cause a judicial sale thereof. If you wish for the real property to be sold at a judicial sale and any remaining equity returned to you, you may be required to make a claim for the equity in the lawsuit within 90 days (or 30 days in the case of real property sold under § 47-1353(b)) of being served.

  Expands the conditions under which a property owner can act in relation to judicial sales and equity claims.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1361

  paragraph (6A) of → paragraphs (6A) and (9) of

  Expands reference to include new definitions and conditions for redemption.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1370

  purchaser; or → purchaser, subject to the requirements for issuance of a deed in § 47-1382;

  Clarifies purchaser's rights regarding issuance of deeds.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1377

  $50 → $75

  Increases the standard fee for certain legal services from $50 to $75.

• D.C. Official Code § 47-1377

  $300 → $425

  Increases the fee caps for reasonable attorney's fees related to property redemption.

Action History

1. September 23, 2026

   Public Hearing on B26-0771

2. September 22, 2026

   Referred to Committee of the Whole

3. August 07, 2026

   Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register

4. August 04, 2026

   Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Committee of the Whole

5. July 24, 2026

   Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0771 Published in the District of Columbia Register

6. July 13, 2026

   B26-0771 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

Sponsors

• Phil Mendelson · Primary

Subjects