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PR 26-0783

Net Zero Continuity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Janeese Lewis George

The bill aims to ensure continuous and unified Net Zero Energy standards for District-financed projects by aligning and extending temporary and permanent provisions to prevent gaps

Retained by the Council
0
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Bill Summary · PR 26-0783

Summary of Bill: Net Zero Continuity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026 (PR 26-0783)

Main purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to declare an emergency to address gaps and timing issues in the District of Columbia’s net-zero-energy (NZE) standards for green building requirements.
  • It aims to provide continuity and advanced certainty for NZE standards across District-financed projects by aligning the various temporary and permanent provisions that govern NZE standards for both residential and nonresidential projects.
  • The resolution prioritizes coordinating a single timeline for updates to NZE definitions and compliance, preventing gaps that could affect affordable housing developers and other District-financed projects.

Key provisions and changes

  • Declares an emergency related to amending multiple laws to ensure NZE standards are consistent and uninterrupted:
    • Repeals or repeals-realignment of temporary acts that previously modified NZE requirements for GGBA-covered projects (Green Building Act of 2006 and related acts).
    • Addresses the transition between temporary emergency amendments and permanent provisions to avoid misalignment when temporary definitions expire.
  • References a sequence of prior statutory changes:
    • Greener Government Buildings Amendment Act of 2022 (GGBA): established NZE standards for District-owned or financed new or substantially improved projects.
    • Green Housing Coordination Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 and related temporary act (expires Feb 12, 2026): removed NZE requirements for certain residential/mixed-use projects and introduced separate green-building requirements in housing-related programs.
    • Net Zero Modification and Preservation Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 (effective March 6, 2026) and its temporary counterpart (effective May 21, 2026; expires Jan 1, 2027): updated NZE standard definitions and their application to residential and nonresidential projects under GGBA.
  • The bill emphasizes that, without action at the July 14, 2026 meeting, gaps would re-emerge due to the expiration timing of the various temporary acts and the pending expiration of the green housing provisions, creating uncertainty for developers seeking District financing.
  • If enacted, the resolution would take effect immediately and be cited as the Net Zero Continuity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026.

Who would be affected

  • District-financed and District-owned or financed residential, nonresidential, and mixed-use projects currently governed by NZE standards under GGBA.
  • Affordable housing developers and other projects relying on District financing to meet NZE requirements.
  • Agencies and project sponsors planning capital projects subject to the Green Building Act and related amendments.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The resolution notes critical dates:
    • March 6, 2026: Net Zero Modification and Preservation Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 takes effect.
    • February 12, 2026: Green Housing Coordination Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 expires.
    • September 21, 2022 and subsequent related dates establish the current permanent and temporary NZE definitions.
    • July 14, 2026 Legislative Meeting: key opportunity to act; failure to pass could delay alignment until September 22, 2026.
  • The measure is designed for rapid passage (single reading) due to emergency considerations and takes immediate effect upon adoption.

Overall impact

  • Aims to prevent disruption in NZE compliance timelines for District-financed projects.
  • Seeks to unify and align NZE standard definitions and application across residential and nonresidential sectors on a single, coherent timeline.
  • Intended to provide predictability for project planning, finance, and implementation in the transition period ending early 2027.

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

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