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Bill

B 26-0054

Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026)

DC bill conditions business licenses and economic incentives on clean compliance records to expand regulated economic activity and revitalization efforts.

Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0054 Published in the District of Columbia Register
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Bill Summary · B 26-0054

Legislative bill overview

B 26-0054, the Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2025, amends DC's economic development and business licensing regulations to incorporate "clean hands" requirements—likely conditioning business licenses, tax benefits, or economic incentives on compliance with tax obligations, regulatory standards, or criminal history provisions. The bill is currently in the Committee on Business and Economic Development following its January introduction.

Why is this important

Clean hands provisions affect which businesses can access public contracts, licenses, and incentives by creating compliance barriers. This can influence business competitiveness, market entry for new entrepreneurs, and revenue collection for the District while potentially reducing opportunities for businesses with past violations or outstanding obligations.

Potential points of contention

  • Disproportionate impact on disadvantaged businesses: Stricter clean hands requirements may exclude minority-owned or emerging businesses with historical compliance issues, potentially widening economic disparities rather than expanding opportunity
  • Defining "clean hands" standards: Ambiguity about what violations trigger disqualification (tax arrears, minor citations, criminal convictions) could create inconsistent enforcement and unequal treatment
  • Burden on small businesses: Compliance verification costs and administrative requirements may disproportionately burden smaller enterprises lacking dedicated compliance departments compared to large corporations

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

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