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B 26-0699

Arena Safety Conformity Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Brooke Pinto

Extends no-entry-on-playing-surface rules to Downtown and Southeast Arenas, adding these venues to the emergency safety ban for unauthorized access.

Act A26-0357 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 009228, Expires on Sep 22, 2026
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Bill Summary · B 26-0699

Summary of Bill B26-0699 — Arena Safety Conformity Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Purpose and intent

  • Purpose: On an emergency basis and pending congressional review, amend the Public Safety Act governing Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and the DC National Guard Armory to extend the prohibition on unauthorized entry onto playing surfaces to two additional venues: the Downtown Arena and the Southeast Arena.
  • Rationale: Align safety restrictions across major DC sports/arena venues to reduce unauthorized access to playing surfaces.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions added:

    • Downtown Arena: Defined as the sports and entertainment arena located at 601 F Street, N.W.
    • Southeast Arena: Defined as the sports and entertainment arena located at 1100 Oak Drive, S.E.

  • Prohibition on entering playing surfaces extended:

    • New prohibitions (b-2) and (b-3) state that, unless expressly authorized by the operator, no person may enter onto any portion of the playing surface within:
    • Downtown Arena (b-2)
    • Southeast Arena (b-3)
    • These prohibitions operate in addition to existing restrictions for the RFK Stadium and the DC National Guard Armory.

  • Definition of playing surface:

    • The term “playing field” or “playing surface” now includes the areas encompassed by the seating facilities within RFK Stadium, the Baseball Stadium, the Soccer Stadium, the Downtown Arena, and the Southeast Arena, as seating arrangements may change over time.

  • Effective date and duration:

    • The act is an emergency measure and would take effect after mayoral approval (or after Council action to override a mayoral veto).
    • The act would remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, consistent with emergency acts under the DC Home Rule Act.

  • Fiscal impact statement:

    • The Council adopts the Budget Director’s fiscal impact statement as required by law.

Who is affected

  • Venues:

    • Downtown Arena (601 F Street, N.W.)
    • Southeast Arena (1100 Oak Drive, S.E.)
    • RFK Memorial Stadium and its associated facilities (existing act remains in force)
    • DC National Guard Armory (existing act remains in force)

  • Individuals and groups:

    • Patrons, employees, and contractors at the Downtown Arena and Southeast Arena will be subject to the new surface-entry prohibitions unless explicitly authorized by the venue operator or its agents.
    • General public or spectators without authorization would be restricted from stepping onto the playing surfaces.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Legislative status:
    • Introduced: May 28, 2026 by Councilmember Brooke Pinto
    • Retained by the Council: June 2, 2026
  • Emergency act characteristics:
    • Takes effect after mayoral approval or after Council overrides a mayoral veto.
    • Sunsets after 90 days unless extended or made permanent by subsequent legislation.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Safety and security: Aims to standardize playing-surface access rules across multiple DC venues, potentially reducing injuries, crowd-control challenges, and unauthorized interference with events.
  • Operational considerations: Venues will need clear authorization protocols for on-field access and may need to update signage, staff training, and communications to reflect the expanded prohibitions.
  • Legal/constitutional: The emergency designation means rapid implementation, with a short-lived effect unless renewed or codified in a non-emergency act later.

Overall, the bill expands the existing playing-surface prohibition to two additional arenas (Downtown and Southeast Arenas) and defines those venues within the DC public safety framework, while placing the measure in a 90-day emergency window.

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

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