COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

                                 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW                                                                            

                                                                               Washington, DC 20004                                           

 

               

TO:                  Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

              

FROM:            Chairman Phil Mendelson

                                               

DATE:             March 1, 2018

 

                               

            This is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the March 6, 2018 Legislative Meeting:

 

• Master Development Plan Recognition Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2018
• Master Development Plan Recognition Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018

 

            Bill 22-636, the “Master Development Plan Recognition Emergency Act of 2017” was adopted by the Council on December 19, 2017 (D.C. Act 22-206).  Accompanying temporary legislation (D.C. Act 22-245) was adopted by the Council on final reading on January 9, 2018 and is currently under congressional review.  A congressional review emergency is necessary to prevent a gap in the law.

 

            The underlying legislation ensures several District-supported development projects are considered part of a master development agreement so that they may continue to qualify for federal tax preference.  The legislation was necessary due to recently adopted federal law removed certain tax preferences for projects including approved Tax Increment Financing projects, Planned Unit Developments, and other development projects approved by the District.   Enacting the legislation on an emergency basis allowed the tax preference for these approved District projects to continue.