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Mayoral Legislation Action Agenda
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Bill Title / Issue (Introduction) |
Description | Rationale | Notes | Fiscal Impact |
| Committee of the Whole | ||||
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Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (A WI) Development Authority Establishment Act of 2003 October 2003 |
Sets up local development authority to coordinate and advance the planning, financing, and development of D.C.-owner or controlled land. Would work in tandem with a federal AWl coordinating entity. |
If not approved, the lack of a central coordinating authority to guide the AWI development could delay or impede the benefits of the initiative. | Need to discuss timing of introduction and broader AWI strategy. | TBD |
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Southwest Waterfront Plan June 2003; resubmitted July 2003 |
Sets forth draft plan for the Southwest Waterfront area to create opportunities for housing, retail, tourism, and other economic development activities. | If not approved, the city will have a more difficult time dealing with zoning issues that would allow different densities and height limits required under the Southwest Waterfront plan. Could hinder economic development opportunity and, in turn, the broader Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. |
Need to follow through in preparing for public hearing in September and Council vote in October. |
None |
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AWl Framework Plan November 2003 |
AWI Small Area Plan setting forth broad parameters of the initiative from the Southwest Waterfront up the Anacostia River | If not approved, this would obstruct a Mayor/Council joint agreement on the vision for the AWI and could have an impact on getting individual small area plans passed by the Council and ensuring federal support. | Need to discuss timing of introduction. | None |
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Poplar Point Plan December 2003 |
AWI Small Area Plan |
This is another component of the AWL If not approved, it would hinder the ability for
the city to move forward in ensuring that the AWI plan as a whole is coordinated. |
Need to discuss timing of introduction. | None |
| Consumer & Regulatory Affairs | ||||
| Equal Access to Health Insurance (TENTATIVE) | Addresses major problems in the current system, particularly with limited choice for individuals and small groups seeking coverage. Addresses the problem of access and limited choice in the area of health insurance by establishing a risk pool modeled on program for federal employees. May be a candidate for $1 million in grant money. |
Offers a different approach to providing health insurance options to employees of
small businesses and other eligible participants. If not passed, city will
continue to see a number of residents under-insured or uninsured by the private health insurance market. |
Mayor wants to know how this fits into the broader health care and health insurance system. DISR needs to answer his concerns. | TBD |
| False Alarm Bill |
JOINT REFERRAL SEE "JUDICIARY COMMITTEE" |
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| Economic Development | ||||
| District of Columbia Cultural, Arts, Recreation and Education (CARE) Facilities Support Act of 2003 (15-193) March 2003 | Authorizes the Mayor to provide loans, grants, and other forms of economic assistance to nonprofit organizations. Funds would be used to build or improve facilities related to cultural, artistic, recreational and educational activities. |
Allows the city to proactively fund facility improvements aimed at providing cultural and artistic amenities as part of a broader economic development agenda. If not passed, this limits city's ability to flexibly and expeditiously fund such activities. |
Need to identify funding source and brief key Councilmembers. | Yes |
| Education, Libraries & Recreation | ||||
| School Board Legislation | Reauthorization of the School Governance Act of 2000 | The School Governance Act will be up for reauthorization in 2004. The Mayor and Council must revisit the legislation to determine whether to remain with the current structure or create a new structure. | ||
| Transfer of State Function to State Education Office | Would transfer as many as 10 state-level functions from DCPS to SEO, most notably responsibility for applying for and monitoring federal funding |
1) Board of Education and Superintendent should focus on running DCPS, not state
functions; 2) There is inherent conflict in DCPS allocating funds among itself,
charter schools, and private schools; 3) As "governor" Mayor is responsible for many
NCLB-related outcomes and needs to have full decision-making and action authority. |
Chavous supports this approach. Legislation would also increase Council powers pertaining to DCPS insofar as SEO is executive branch agency with Council oversight. | TBD |
| Government Operations | ||||
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Unified Communications Agency October 2003 |
Establishes the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) as the city's consolidated communications agency for 911, 311, and 727-1000 calls. | 911 and 311 operations are underperforming. The OUC would implement management structure and standards, and new technology to facilitate performance improvements and "professionalize" call taking. | Need to brief Council and rest of stakeholders before introduction. OCTO scheduling briefings through recess for Council staff | TBD |
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District of Columbia Communications Authority Act of 2003 October 2003 |
Establishes an independent authority to own, develop and manage DC-Net, the District's state-of-the-art fiber-optic voice and data network, and outsource its operation to a private company. | The new entity will save the District government $10 million annually on telecommunications costs and maximize the new system's benefits for education, public safety and cost savings. | Need to brief Council and rest of stakeholders before introduction. Rationale for independent authority must be fleshed out. | TBD |
| Finance & Revenue | ||||
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Neighborhood Economic Development Incentives Act (15-104) January 2003 |
Gives Mayor broader authority to provide targeted incentives to attract economic
development to the District. Bill provides greater flexibility in spurring economic
development in neighborhoods across the city, including around the Anacostia Waterfront. |
Allows the city to proactively identify appropriate incentives to catalyze economic development in key areas. If not passed, the city will miss opportunities to lure and appropriately support critical projects. | Need to off-set fiscal impact and to narrow the bill's focus in terms of geographic area. |
Up to $75 million |
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District of Columbia Cultural, Arts, Recreation and Education (CARE)
Facilities Support Act of 2003 (15-193) March 2003 |
JOINT REFERRAL SEE "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE" |
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| Judiciary | ||||
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Juvenile Justice Legislation December 2003 |
This bill would incorporate legislative recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Juvenile Justice. | Bill is needed to begin correct flaws in the juvenile justice system identified by the Blue Ribbon Commission. | Bill is being drafted by CYFE. Will need to bring in interested Councilmembers (Allen, Chavous, Patterson) to build support prior to introduction. | TBD |
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District of Columbia Communications Authority Act of 2003 October 2003 |
JOINT REFERRAL SEE "GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS" |
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False Alarm Bill November 2003 |
Between 1/1/02 and 3/31/03, MPD responded to 100,461 false burglar alarm calls, a significant drain on MPD resources. By fining multiple offenses, it is hoped that this number will be reduced. | MPD intro'd a false alarm bill in Nov. 01 through D. Catania that unduly burdened DCRA. Revised bill would allow contracting out of function. Bill is of interest to Catania & Ambrose. | TBD | |
| Medical
Malpractice Reform Omnibus October 2003 |
JOINT REFERRAL SEE "HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE" |
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Senior Detectives Act February 2003 |
Bill authorizes the Chief of Police to rehire former MPD detective as a Senior Detective without liability for annuity offset | Improve homicide investigation protocols and enhance MPD's efforts to improve case closure rate. | Patterson has committed to incorporate this bill in a larger PS bill, while rebuffing Mayor's May request to mark up bill and bring it to full council vote. | None |
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Public Safety Defined Workers Compensation February 2003 |
Establishes a limited duty program for members recovering from duty injuries and illnesses; mandates retirement on disability whenever members have achieved maximum medical improvement but are unable to perform the full range of police or fire suppression duties. | The goal of the bill is to increase the number of officers on the street by moving those who have exhausted their interim disability and are unlikely to return to full duty to early retirement. | DMPSJ to work with retirement board and others to address fiscal impact. | $8M-$12M per year. |
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Chief Ramsey's Compensation System Changes May 2003 |
Establishes Chief Ramsey's term of service, retirement benefits and notice provisions. |
This bill is the companion piece to the pay raise resolution recently passed and
reflects the Chiefs agreement with the Mayor. |
Patterson vowed to hold on to the legislation for a year, when, if enough councilmembers asked, she would move legislation. OPLA to determine how best to proceed | None |
| Human Services | ||||
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Health Care Privatization Amendment Act of 2001 Rule Making Amendment
Act of 2003 July 2003 |
Gives Mayor rulemaking authority for Health Care Safety Net | Ability to create and update rules is essential for service delivery under the Alliance and Health Care Safety Net. Rule making authority facilitates greater fiscal flexibility and increases ability to manage costs. |
Emergency and temporary have been moved, however, no permanent. Need Allen to commit to having a hearing and mark-up in time for introduction this year. |
None |
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Medicaid Rehabilitation Option for Substance Abuse Treatment June 2003 |
Enables District to receive Federal matching funds for rehabilitation from substance abuse | Enables the District to use less local dollars and secure federal matching funds for substance abuse treatment. | TBD | |
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Juvenile Justice Legislation December 2003 |
JOINT REFERRAL SEE "JUDICIARY COMMITTEE" |
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Medical Malpractice Reform Omnibus October 2003 |
Aims to stabilize the medical liability insurance market to offset the pressures physicians are facing in paying their medical malpractice insurance premiums. Legislation is to ensure access to health care and improving patient safety. | Offers a long-term approach to reducing the cyclical nature of the medical malpractice insurance market which could threaten the ability for health care providers to serve patients in the city. If not passed, there is a risk that key services would not be offered in the District. | Need to flesh out draft with stakeholders and development with Council strategy. |
TBD |
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