Soul of the City Business Improvement District Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Trayon White

Ensures continuous operation of the Soul of the City BID between the emergency and permanent acts, preserving governance and services during the transition.

Retained by the Council

Purpose and intent

Declares an emergency for purposes of congressional review to authorize the continued establishment and administration of the Soul of the City Business Improvement District (BID) under the District of Columbia’s Business Improvement Districts Act of 1996.

Ensures that emergency provisions governing the Soul of the City BID remain in effect until the permanent statutory framework takes full effect.

Key provisions and changes

Acknowledges prior legislative actions:

January 2026: Passage of the Soul of the City BID Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Act 26-246; effective January 22, 2026), which authorized emergency establishment and administration of the Soul of the City BID.
February 2026: Passage of the Soul of the City BID Amendment Act of 2026 on second reading (effective March 2, 2026; D.C. Act 26-264), which authorized permanent establishment and administration of the Soul of the City BID.

Emergency status duration:

The emergency legislation was set to expire on April 22, 2026.
The permanent legislation is projected to become law on April 30, 2026.

Purpose of this resolution:

To authorize a Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026, ensuring uninterrupted operation of the Soul of the City BID between the expiration of the emergency act and the full implementation of the permanent act.

Legal mechanism:

The resolution designates the situation as an emergency requiring adoption after a single reading, underscoring the need for immediate continuation of BID-related authorities and activities.

Who/what is affected

The Soul of the City Business Improvement District, including its governance, funding mechanisms, and administrative functions under the DC BID Act.

Stakeholders in the District of Columbia who rely on the Soul of the City BID for district improvements, safety, sanitation, marketing, or other BID-provided services.

The broader regulatory framework governing BIDs in DC, by ensuring a seamless transition from emergency to permanent authority.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Timeline:

January 22, 2026: Emergency BID legislation became effective.
March 2, 2026: Permanent BID legislation became effective (as per D.C. Act 26-264).
April 22, 2026: Emergency provisions would expire unless extended or complemented by this resolution.
Late April 2026: Permanent legislation anticipated to take full effect (April 30, 2026 projection).

This resolution (PR 26-0647) is a housekeeping/continuity measure to bridge the gap between the emergency and permanent regimes, ensuring no lapse in authority or administration of the Soul of the City BID.

Summary assessment

The bill is a targeted, non-substantive emergency declaration meant to preserve uninterrupted BID operations while permanent statutory authority is finalized and takes effect.

It relies on the existing emergency and permanent acts to maintain governance and services associated with the Soul of the City BID during the transition period.

No new funding levels, program changes, or policy shifts are introduced beyond maintaining continuity of the BID’s existing authority.

Bill