District of Columbia Council Period 26 Status: Introduced

B 26-0560 — Soul of the City Business Improvement District Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Last action — Postponed Indefinitely

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Council
  4. 4
    To Executive
  5. 5
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Council. Introduced January 05, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • 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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

135 added · 123 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment adds a section to temporarily establish and manage the Soul of the City Business Improvement District (BID) in Washington, D.C. It specifically allows for the BID to impose taxes starting April 1, 2026, and clarifies that the boundary of the BID will be defined by the Mayor's approval. This change is significant because it enables targeted investment and improvements in the designated area, which can enhance local business and community development.

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______________________________ Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL A BILL 26-560 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA _______________ To amend, on a temporary basis, the Business Improvement District Act of 1996 to authorize the establishment and administration of the Soul of the City Business Improvement District.
A BILL _______________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA _______________ To amend, on a temporary basis, the Business Improvement District Act of 1996 to authorize the establishment and administration of the Soul of the City Business Improvement District.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the “Soul of the City Business Improvement District Temporary Amendment Act of 2026”.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the “Soul of the City Business Improvement District Temporary Amendment Act of 2026”.
“(a) Subject to review and approval by the Mayor pursuant to sections 5 and 6, the formation of the Soul of the City Business Improvement District (“BID”), including nonexempt real property within the geographic area set forth in subsection (b) of this section, is authorized and the BID taxes imposed in subsection (c) of this section shall be imposed, and become effective for the half tax year beginning on April 1, 2026, through the earlier of the expiration of ENGROSSED ORIGINAL this act or the termination or dissolution of the BID.
“Section 213.
Soul of the City BID.
Square 5910, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13;
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL Square 5910, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13;
Square 5947, Lots 5, 6,18, 19, 802, 803, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811;
Square 5947, Lots 5, 6,18, 19, 802, 803, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, ENGROSSED ORIGINAL 810, 811;
Square 6070, Lots 4, 11, 12, 13, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 811, 812, 813, 816, 818, 819, 820, 822, 823;
Square 6070, Lots 4, 11, 12, 13, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 811, ENGROSSED ORIGINAL 812, 813, 816, 818, 819, 820, 822, 823;
“(c)(1) The BID taxes for nonexempt properties in the Soul of the City BID shall be as 85 follows:
“(c)(1) The BID taxes for nonexempt properties in the Soul of the City BID shall be as follows:
“(2) To the extent that a building that is subject to the BID tax is constructed pursuant to a ground lease on land that is exempt from real property taxes, the assessed value of the real property for purposes of the BID tax shall include the value of the building and the leasehold interest, possessory interest, beneficial interest, or beneficial use of the land, and the lessee or user of the land shall be assessed the corresponding BID tax, which shall be collected in the same manner as possessory interest taxes under D.C.
“(2) To the extent that a building that is subject to the BID tax is constructed pursuant to a ground lease on land that is exempt from real property taxes, the assessed value of the real property for purposes of the BID tax shall include the value of the building and the ENGROSSED ORIGINAL leasehold interest, possessory interest, beneficial interest, or beneficial use of the land, and the lessee or user of the land shall be assessed the corresponding BID tax, which shall be collected in the same manner as possessory interest taxes under D.C.
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How this bill changes current law

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

The bill establishes the Soul of the City Business Improvement District (BID) and outlines its administration and tax structure.

  • D.C. Code § 2-1215.01

    Section 213. Soul of the City BID. (a) Subject to review and approval by the Mayor pursuant to sections 5 and 6, the formation of the Soul of the City Business Improvement District (“BID”), including nonexempt real property within the geographic area set forth in subsection (b) of this section, is authorized and the BID taxes imposed in subsection (c) of this section shall be imposed, and become effective for the half tax year beginning on April 1, 2026, through the earlier of the expiration of this act or the termination or dissolution of the BID.

    This new section creates the Soul of the City BID, allowing its formation and tax implementation.

  • D.C. Code § 2-1215.01

    The Soul of the City BID boundary shall be the geographical area approved by the Mayor...

    Defines the geographic boundary of the new BID for administrative purposes.

  • D.C. Code § 2-1215.01

    The BID taxes for nonexempt properties in the Soul of the City BID shall be as follows: (A) The amount of $0.18 per $100 of the assessed value for Class 2 Properties, excluding hotels; (B) The amount of $120 per hotel or motel room annually; (C)(i) The amount of $120 per unit annually of Class 1A property that contains 5 or more residential units...

    Establishes tax rates for different property classifications within the new BID.

  • D.C. Code § 2-1215.01

    Subject to the requirements of section 8(b), a 3% annual increase in the BID taxes over the current tax year rates specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection is authorized.

    Allows for a 3% annual increase in BID taxes, providing a more predictable revenue structure for the BID.

  • D.C. Code § 47-1005.01

    To the extent that a building that is subject to the BID tax is constructed pursuant to a ground lease on land that is exempt from real property taxes...

    Clarifies how BID taxes will be assessed on properties constructed under ground leases.

  • D.C. Code § 2-1215.01

    Taxable property for which the Owner has expended more than $250,000 during the previous tax year on safety-related activities...

    Provides an exemption from the BID tax for property owners who invest significantly in safety-related enhancements.

Action History

  1. Postponed Indefinitely

  2. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0560 Published in the District of Columbia Register

  3. First Reading

  4. Retained by the Council

  5. B26-0560 Introduced by Councilmember T. White at Office of the Secretary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 13 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (13)

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

First Reading

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 12000
Total 12000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (12)
Member Party Vote
Anita Bonds — Yea
Brianne K. Nadeau — Yea
Brooke Pinto — Yea
Charles Allen — Yea
Christina Henderson — 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

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors B 26-0560?
B 26-0560 is sponsored by Trayon White, Sr..
What is the current status of B 26-0560?
This bill has been introduced in the Council. Introduced January 05, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track B 26-0560?
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