WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

B 26-0613

Archdiocese of Washington Parish Real Property, Deed Recordation, and Transfer Tax Exemption Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

DC bill exempts the Archdiocese of Washington from deed recordation fees and transfer taxes on parish property transfers during a temporary period.

Law L26-0137, Effective from Jun 11, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 008891, Expires on Jan 22, 2027
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · B 26-0613

Legislative bill overview

This DC bill temporarily exempts the Archdiocese of Washington from deed recordation fees and transfer taxes when transferring parish real property. The exemption applies to property transfers related to parish reorganization or consolidation activities during a specified temporary period.

Why is this important

Real property transfer taxes and recordation fees represent significant costs that can affect organizational finances and property transactions. This exemption could facilitate the Archdiocese's internal restructuring of parish operations while reducing financial barriers to property transfers, though it represents foregone local tax revenue.

Potential points of contention

  • Religious organization tax benefits: The bill grants special tax treatment to a specific religious institution, raising questions about whether this violates equal protection principles or unfairly advantages one faith organization over others
  • Lost municipal revenue: Deed recordation fees and transfer taxes fund DC services; exempting these transactions reduces local government funding without identified offsetting revenue sources
  • "Temporary" scope ambiguity: The bill's temporary nature is not clearly defined in the summary; unclear end dates or renewal provisions could create uncertainty or indefinite exemptions
  • Limited transparency on rationale: Without documented explanation of why this particular organization and transaction type warrant exemption, the legislative intent is unclear to the public

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.