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PR 26-0646

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026)

The bill reinstates independent ownership, strengthens CBE joint venture performance, and standardizes enforcement hearings to ensure fair, uniform administration of the CBE progra

Resolution R26-0396 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 007305
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Bill Summary · PR 26-0646

Summary of PR 26-0646 — Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Purpose and intent

  • Declares an emergency to amend the District of Columbia’s Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005.
  • The emergency amendments aim to reinstate and update provisions to ensure local business enterprises (LBEs) certified as CBEs are independently owned and operated, tighten performance requirements in certified joint ventures, and establish uniform hearing procedures for enforcement actions.
  • The resolution highlights the expiration of prior emergency provisions on March 29, 2026 and seeks to restore the most recent version of those provisions, along with clarifying and updating enforcement procedures.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  1. Independent ownership requirement for CBE certification

    • Reinstates the requirement that businesses applying for CBE certification as local business enterprises be independently owned and operated.

  2. Minimum performance requirements for certified joint ventures

    • Amends the CBE program to modify or strengthen minimum performance standards for certified joint ventures (i.e., joint ventures that hold CBE status).

  3. Uniform hearing procedures for enforcement actions

    • Establishes standardized hearing procedures for complaints and enforcement actions related to CBE certification and compliance, aiming for consistency, fairness, and efficiency.

  4. Context and authorities referenced

    • Builds on the Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005 (DC Law 16-33) and aligns with prior emergency amendments enacted in 2021–2023, which temporarily required independent ownership and updated enforcement processes.
    • The resolution notes that there are over 2,000 businesses participating in the DC CBE Program and that the emergency measures are needed to ensure proper administration going forward.

Who or what would be affected

  • Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs): Businesses seeking or holding CBE certification, especially those in or entering joint ventures that are subject to minimum performance requirements.
  • DSLBD (Department of Small and Local Business Development): The agency responsible for CBE certification, verification of independent ownership, performance standards, and enforcement procedures.
  • CBE-related enforcement and hearings: Uniform procedures would govern how enforcement actions and complaints are processed and adjudicated (likely through the Office of Administrative Hearings).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Emergency declaration: The bill is framed as an emergency measure to be adopted after a single reading, allowing expedited effectiveness.
  • Effective date: Upon adoption, the resolution takes immediate effect.
  • Background timeline:
    • Prior emergency Acts (Local Business Enterprise Clarification Emergency Amendment Acts) passed and expired, with provisions needed to be reinstated (expired March 29, 2026).
    • The resolution cites the need to restore the most recent version of provisions passed by the Council and to establish uniform hearing procedures.

Additional notes

  • The bill is introduced by Councilmember Wendell Felder.
  • The resolution does not itself amend the CBE statute text but authorizes emergency amendments to reinstate and align provisions related to independent ownership, joint venture performance, and enforcement procedures.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparative note outlining how these emergency provisions differs from prior versions or supply a brief impact assessment for affected stakeholders.

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

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