DC Council Returns From Summer Recess to a Packed Agenda: Key Legislation and Election Dynamics for Fall 2026

The first Legislative Meeting of the fall session is scheduled for September 22, followed immediately by committee hearings. With Council Period 26 nearing its conclusion and the November 3 general election approaching, the fall calendar is expected to be packed. Stakeholders should anticipate an accelerated legislative pace as members seek to advance priority bills before the end of the term.

Key Legislation to Watch

Contracting and Procurement Reform Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0594)

Introduced by Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George, Brianne Nadeau, and Zachary Parker, this bill would significantly modernize District procurement by amending the Procurement Practices Reform Act of 2010. Key provisions include establishing pay-for-performance contracting standards, creating a consolidated procurement portal with a forecasting module for anticipated solicitations, mandating data-sharing between the chief procurement officer and the Council, and reforming the District supply schedule. A public hearing was held on June 10, and the bill remains in committee.

Retail Energy Market Consumer Protection Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0750)

Introduced by Chairman Mendelson and co-introduced by Councilmember Allen, this bill would establish new requirements for third-party electricity suppliers operating in the District and add new protections for residential customers, including the right to terminate service at any time. The bill is substantively identical to a subtitle originally included in the FY 2027 Budget Support Act and has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment. There has not been a hearing yet so the language was introduced as a standalone bill, and a hearing will be held on October 1 to discuss the bill. Retail energy suppliers likely will urge the Council not to enact any changes that would diminish consumer choice or otherwise harm the overall retail energy marketplace. 

Surveillance Pricing Prohibition Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0667)

Co-sponsored by nine councilmembers — including Councilmembers Henderson, Bonds, Lewis George, Pinto, Parker, Frumin, Allen, R. White, and Crawford — this bill would prohibit businesses from using algorithmic or “surveillance” pricing, which adjusts consumer prices based on personal data such as browsing history or location. Businesses operating in the District should monitor this bill for broader economic and consumer protection implications.

Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026 (B26-0656)

Introduced by Councilmember Wendell Felder, this bill would authorize and regulate internet gaming — including online casino-style games such as poker and slots — in the District of Columbia. The legislation establishes a comprehensive licensing framework administered by the Office of Lottery and Gaming, imposes a 25% tax on adjusted gross internet gaming revenue, and requires Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) participation plans for all internet gaming operators. Notably, the bill also creates a Community Reinvestment Fund, funded by a 2% assessment on operators’ revenue, to support workforce development, financial counseling, and gambling addiction services. A public hearing was held on May 4, and the bill remains in committee. Some advocates will be proposing a regulatory framework for internet gaming that does not involve the need to purchase anything but can result in users winning awards. The current bill outlaws this type of gaming, which could generate significant revenue for the District. 

Fall Tax Hearings and the District’s Fiscal Outlook

The Council is expected to hold a hearing this fall on potential tax changes in response to mounting fiscal pressures — a topic of heightened urgency as the District confronts a softening revenue outlook. In his quarterly revenue estimate, CFO Glen Lee held the revenue forecast unchanged but flagged that the underlying economy continues to soften, driven by persistent weakness in commercial real estate valuations and the ongoing effects of federal workforce reductions. His past estimates had already revised FY 2027 revenue downward by $35.5 million, bringing projected growth to just 0.8%, while forecasting a 1.2% decline in all property assessments. Affordability remains a central concern. With residents already facing higher costs of living and federal job losses reducing household incomes across the region, the Council must weigh the need for new revenue against the risk of further burdening District residents and businesses.

Against this backdrop, the upcoming September quarterly revenue estimate — due by September 30 — will be closely watched. The FY 2027 Budget Support Act directs that the first $150 million of any FY 2026 revenue increase identified in the September or December forecasts be used to replenish District reserves necessary for cash-flow liquidity, underscoring the tightness of the fiscal environment. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced legislation in July that would impose a surtax on passive income (including capital gains) for District households earning over $500,000 per year, and additional revenue-raising proposals are expected to surface during the fall hearings. Businesses and high-income stakeholders operating in the District should monitor these hearings closely, as the outcome could affect tax obligations and the broader regulatory climate heading into 2027.

November 2026 Election Impact

The November 3 general election is poised to bring one of the most significant shakeups in DC government since the advent of home rule. Seven Council seats are on the ballot: Council Chair, two at-large seats, and Ward 1, 3, 5, and 6. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic mayoral primary and is the heavy favorite to become the next Mayor. Elissa Silverman won a June special election for the at-large Independent seat. New members are expected in Ward 1 (open seat) and at least one at-large seat. This is also DC’s first general election using ranked-choice voting.

The transition means several bill sponsors — including outgoing Councilmember Nadeau (Ward 1) and Councilmember Bonds (at-large) — will not return in the next Council period. Legislation that does not pass before the end of Council Period 26 will die and would need to be reintroduced. The election also creates incentives for the current Council to clear its legislative backlog before January 2027.

Conclusion

Government contractors should prioritize tracking B26-0594, the procurement reform bill, which could reshape how the District manages contract modifications, evaluation panels, and the supply schedule. Businesses with CBE certification or those in the technology and gaming sectors should pay close attention to B26-0656 and its CBE participation requirements for internet gaming operators. Companies with District facilities should also monitor B26-0750 for changes to energy supplier protections that may affect existing contracts. All District-facing businesses should monitor the surveillance pricing bill and, critically, the fall tax hearings and the September 2026 Office of the Chief Financial Officer revenue estimate, which will signal whether additional revenue raisers are on the horizon. Finally, clients should prepare for a significantly reconstituted Council in 2027 and consider early engagement with incoming members and their staff to shape the next legislative agenda.