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:              Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                                           

DATE:                March 12, 2020

 

 

               Please place on the March 17^th additional legislative meeting agenda the following measure:

 

• COVID-19 Response Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2020
• COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020
• COVID-19 Response Temporary Amendment Act of 2020

 

               This emergency and temporary act would make a number of changes to the law to assist the District government with providing an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It also aims to provide relief to District residents who may face work stoppage due to a quarantine or actual sickness by providing some level of wage replacement.  The legislation also seeks to provide relief to affected businesses by authorizing the Mayor to establish a grant program to issue funds to affected small businesses during the public health emergency.  The bills also include a number of provisions to grant the Mayor various powers during the course of the public health emergency with regard to public health, safety as well as additional and consumer protection provisions to protect residents during this time including prohibitions on utility shutoffs and evictions.  The legislation makes a number of temporary administrative allowances with regard to meetings of boards and commissions, including Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.

 

               In addition to these provisions, the emergency act amends the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Submission Requirements Resolution of 2019 (Resolution 23-268) to move the submission date for the Fiscal Year 2021 budget from March 19, 2020 to May 1, 2020, or within 5 days of the ending of the public health emergency declaration by the Mayor.  Having consulted with the Mayor on this matter, it is our hope that we not needlessly delay the budget process, but that we provide ample flexibility to allow the Executive to respond to the immediate public health emergency.

 

               Finally, the emergency will permit the Council to hold virtual meetings during the public health emergency.  This means the Secretary will have flexibility to enable the Council to have legislative meetings, with all members, although some (or all) will not be able to be present in the Wilson Building.

 

               The draft measures are attached.  It is a rough draft as provision are being refined.  Please call me or Mr. Evan Cash if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002. 

 

 

 

cc:          All Councilmembers

               Council Officers

 

 

Evan Cash

Committee and Legislative Director

Committee of the Whole

Chairman Phil Mendelson

 

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 410

Washington, DC 20004

Tel: (202) 724-7002

http://www.chairmanmendelson.com/cow

 

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