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Bill

B 26-0730

Business Licensing Reform and Accountancy Practice Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Brianne Nadeau

Expands CPA licensure paths and cross-jurisdiction practice, while updating motor club tow rules, 4-year licenses, ANC notice, and refunds for erroneous fees.

Retained by the Council
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · B 26-0730

Overview

Bill B26-0730, the Business Licensing Reform and Accountancy Practice Emergency Amendment Act of 2026, is an emergency measure introduced by Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. It seeks to reform various District of Columbia business licensing provisions and to modify accountancy licensure eligibility and practice privileges. The act is designed to take effect quickly (as an emergency measure) and would remain in effect for up to 90 days unless extended.

Main purpose and intent

  • Streamline and modify certain business licensing processes.
  • Expand licensure options and practice privileges for certified public accountants (CPAs) and allow more flexible pathways to licensure.
  • Adjust regulatory requirements for motor clubs providing private tow services.
  • Provide for refunds of erroneously paid license fees.
  • Allow the Mayor to implement additional licensure requirements by rulemaking.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Act (ANCA) notice and weight

    • Requires the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) to provide 30-days notice (by first-class mail or email) to the affected ANCs before granting or renewing licenses for theaters, cinemas, skating rinks, dance halls, exhibitions, lectures, or other entertainment.
    • Requires DLCP to give great weight to ANC recommendations when deciding whether to grant or renew such licenses.

  2. Motor clubs and private tow services

    • Exempts motor clubs that perform private tow services from certain towing service storage lot requirements.
    • Creates a new category of license for motor clubs or businesses offering private tow services on behalf of motor clubs.

  3. 4-year business licenses and renewal timing

    • Establishes the option for 4-year licenses for certain business licenses.
    • Clarifies license renewal timing: eliminates a restriction that prevented renewal when expiration was within a certain window, allowing renewal closer to or after expiration.

  4. Refunds of erroneously paid fees

    • Adds a new provision allowing the Mayor to refund license fees or taxes that were paid in error or collected in error.

  5. Accountancy licensure reforms

    • Revises eligibility for CPA licensure:
      • A candidate with a baccalaureate degree (with accounting concentration) or an equivalent degree and specific accounting coursework may qualify.
      • Reduces or adjusts required years of relevant work experience (e.g., two years for baccalaureate holders; one year for post-baccalaureate degree holders), with credit for additional coursework or other qualifying experience.
      • The Mayor may, by rule, establish additional licensure requirements to ensure proper training and qualifications.
    • Expands practice privileges for CPAs licensed in another jurisdiction:
      • Non-DC principal place of business CPAs with valid licenses and in good standing can practice in DC under the privilege without DC licensure, if they meet criteria related to initial licensure requirements in the home jurisdiction.
      • Maintains existing privileges for those who had prior practice privileges under the previous version of the act.

  6. Miscellaneous cleanups

    • Amendments to section headings and subsection language to reflect the above changes and to align with rulemaking authority.

Affected parties and impact

  • Businesses seeking various DC licenses (entertainment venues, towing-related services, motor clubs) will face updated notification, renewal, and fee structure processes.
  • Motor clubs and private tow service providers gain a clarified regulatory framework and specific exemptions from certain storage-lot requirements.
  • CPAs and CPA applicants gain expanded licensure pathways and greater mobility to practice in DC if they hold licenses from other jurisdictions, subject to Board and rule-based requirements.
  • District residents and ANC members may experience more prominent input into licensing decisions for entertainment venues via the weighted ANC recommendations.
  • The Mayor gains additional rulemaking authority to refine licensure requirements over time.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect after the Mayor’s approval (or Council action to override a veto) and lasts up to 90 days as an emergency act.
  • The bill follows emergency-acts procedures, limiting its duration without further legislative action.

Note: The fiscal impact statement is adopted from the related committee report for context.

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

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