District of Columbia Council Period 26 Status: Enacted

B 26-0501 — Porchfest Permitting Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

Last action — Act A26-0236 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 000066, Expires on Mar 30, 2026

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 01, 2025. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes 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

42 added · 47 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to the Block Party Act of 2012 introduces provisions that allow residents to apply for block party permits specifically for events like Porchfests, which are neighborhood music festivals held on personal properties, such as porches and yards. This means residents can now officially close streets for these performances and are guaranteed permit approval, even if other events are taking place on the same date. This change is significant as it promotes community engagement through music while simplifying the permitting process for residents.

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___________________________ Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 4 6 A BILL 8 ___________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA _______________ To amend, on an emergency basis, the Block Party Act of 2012 to enable residents hosting a musical performance on their property as part of a Porchfest or other distributed musical festival to apply for block party permits.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL AN ACT ___________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ___________ To amend, on an emergency basis, the Block Party Act of 2012 to enable residents hosting a musical performance on their property as part of a Porchfest or other distributed musical festival to apply for block party permits.
“(5) “Porchfest” means a distributed neighborhood music festival where musicians perform on residents’ porches or yards.”.
“(5) “Porchfest” means a distributed neighborhood music festival where musicians perform on a resident’s private property, such as their porch or yard, or any abutting public property, and no fee is charged to participants or attendees.”.
“(b-1) A District resident may submit a block party permit as part of a Porchfest or other distributed neighborhood festival;
“(b-1) A District resident may submit a block party application requesting that a street on which they reside be closed for the purpose of holding a porchfest.”.
provided, that the application meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, section 5(b), and:
“(1) Any musical activities take place on personal property, such as a porch or lawn, and not in the street;
“(2) No fee shall be charged to participants or attendees.”.
The Department shall not deny a block party application because it is part of a Porchfest or other distributed neighborhood festival occurring on the same date.”.
The Department shall not deny a block party application because it is part of a porchfest or other distributed neighborhood festival occurring on the same date.”.
Sec.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL Sec.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat.
___________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia _________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 2
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Action History

  1. Act A26-0236 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 000066, Expires on Mar 30, 2026

  2. Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0236, Expires on Mar 30, 2026

  3. Returned from Mayor

  4. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Dec 29, 2025

  5. Final Reading

  6. Amendment (CM Allen)

  7. Retained by the Council

  8. B26-0501 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George 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.

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Votes

Amendment (CM Allen)

Passed 13 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 13000
Total 13000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Anita Bonds — Yea
Brianne K. Nadeau — Yea
Brooke Pinto — Yea
Charles Allen — Yea
Christina Henderson — Yea
Janeese Lewis George — Yea
Kenyan R. McDuffie — 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 →

Final Reading

Passed 12 Yea · 1 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 12100
Total 12100
% of votes cast 92%8%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Anita Bonds — Yea
Brianne K. Nadeau — Yea
Brooke Pinto — Yea
Charles Allen — Yea
Christina Henderson — Yea
Janeese Lewis George — Yea
Kenyan R. McDuffie — Nay
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 transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors B 26-0501?
B 26-0501 is sponsored by Janeese Lewis George.
What is the current status of B 26-0501?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 01, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track B 26-0501?
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