CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING

Bill 20-152, Permanent Supportive Housing Application Streamlining Amendment Act of 2013
Bill 20-196, Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Amendment Act of 2013

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing of the Committee of the Whole Bill 20-152, the “Permanent Supportive Housing Application Streamlining Amendment Act of 2013” and on Bill 20-196, the “Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Amendment Act of 2013.”  The public hearing will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.  This hearing notice has been revised to reflect the addition of Bill 20-152.

Both Bill 20-152 and Bill 20-196 concern procurement, which is under the purview of the Committee of the Whole.  The stated purpose of Bill 20-152 is to amend the Procurement Practices Reform Act of 2010 (PPRA) to streamline and provide a cooperative interagency structure for the coordination of capital, operating, and supportive services funding for the production of permanent supportive housing units for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  It would exempt from the PPRA procurements related to the production of permanent supportive housing by the Department of Housing and Community Development and/or the Department of Human Services through fiscal year 2018.  The stated purpose of Bill 20-196 is to amend the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Act of 2011 to streamline the procurement process for the Health Benefit Exchange Authority by clarifying that such procurements are not subject to the PPRA.

Emergency and temporary versions of Bill 20-152 and Bill 20-196 were passed by the Council on March 19, 2013 and May 7, 2013, respectively.  Permanent legislation for these bills is necessary if separate procurement authority related to the Exchange and the acquisition of permanent supportive housing is to be maintained after expiration of both pieces of temporary legislation in early 2014.

Those who wish to testify are asked to telephone the Committee of the Whole, at (202) 724-8196, or e-mail Evan Cash, Committee Director, at ecash@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business Friday, October 18, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If submitted by the close of business on October 18, 2013, 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 20-196 can be obtained through the Legislative Services Division of the Secretary of the Council’s office or at http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/lims.

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 Tuesday, November 5, 2013.