CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
COUNCILMEMBER JACK EVANS, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND REVENUE

Bill 20-677, D.C. Urban Farming and Food Security Act of 2014

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Jack Evans announce a joint public hearing of the Committee of the Whole and Committee on Finance and Revenue on Bill 20-677, the “D.C. Urban Farming and Food Security Act of 2014.” The public hearing will be held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

The stated purpose of Bill 20-677 is to amend the Food Production and Urban Gardens Program Act of 1986 to establish an urban farming land leasing initiative; to establish a nonrefundable tax credit for food commodity donations made to a District of Columbia food bank or shelter; and to establish a real property tax abatement for unimproved real property leased for the purpose of small-scale urban farming.

Those who wish to testify are asked to telephone the Committee of the Whole, at (202) 724-8196, or e-mail Jessica Jacobs, Legislative Counsel, at jjacobs@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business Tuesday, June 10, 2014.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If submitted by the close of business on June 10, 2014, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing.  Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.  A copy of Bill 20-677 can be obtained through the Legislative Services Division of the Secretary of the Council’s office or at http://lims.dccouncil.us.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee of the Whole, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 410 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2014.