Legislative Initiatives

Home > Legislation > Current Legislative Initiatives

Bills Introduced at First Council Period 20 Meeting

The bills introduced by Councilmember Cheh during the January 8th Council meeting include:

· The Underground Utility Act - Bill would establish a five-member commission (Assessment Commission), whose members would be appointed by the Mayor, Council, and the Public Service Commission. The Assessment Commission would evaluate which areas of the District should have their overhead facilities (utility lines) put underground, and require the Mayor and Council to approve these areas. The Commission’s proposed designations will be made on the basis of coordination with other construction projects, the likelihood that undergrounding will substantially reduce weather or vehicular-related outages in the area, whether undergrounding in the proposed area would represent the most efficient use of resources, and improvement to neighborhood aesthetics. Although the legislation would require work in some areas, it would not preclude it in others. Pepco may also underground wires in non-designated areas without Council approval or the Commission’s recommendations.

· The Civil Asset Forfeiture Amendment Act – This bill would fundamentally change the way the District approaches civil asset forfeiture proceedings. Specifically, this bill would require that a property owner receive prompt, written notification upon the seizure of any property by law enforcement. This written notification would specify the property sought to be forfeited, detailed information about the procedures for claiming the property, and a clear explanation of the property owner’s legal rights.

· The Workplace Wellness Act – The purpose of the Workplace Wellness Act is to improve the health of the 30,000 District government employees while lowering the District’s cost of providing health care to employees and retirees. Each year, the District spends more than $300 million on providing health insurance to employees and retirees, and this figure continues to grow each year. This bill would direct the Executive to adopt a comprehensive workplace wellness program for the District government to promote nutrition, improve physical fitness, promote healthy living, and provide screenings for key health indicators. The bill would also require that one-third (and later one-half) of items in the more than 4,000 vending machines that the District government controls be healthy.

· The Telemedicine Reimbursement Act – “Telemedicine” is the delivery of healthcare services through the use of interactive audio, video, or other media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. Telemedicine has the potential to expand access to quality healthcare, improve patient outcomes, and cut healthcare costs. One major barrier to the adoption of telemedicine in the District has been the lack of consistent and comprehensive reimbursement policies. A growing number of states, including Maryland and Virginia, have removed this barrier by requiring reimbursement for healthcare services delivered through telemedicine. This bill would facilitate the integration of telemedicine into the District’s healthcare system. Through the expanded use of telemedicine, District residents that currently rely on hospitals for healthcare services will benefit from increased access to primary and specialty care. Telemedicine would also enable patients afflicted with mobility issues or chronic diseases to consult with health professionals from their own home, resulting in improved health management and fewer hospital visits.

· The LGBTQ Homeless Youth Reform Act – The Center for American Progress, as well as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, both estimate that 20 to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. However, this particular population is often forgotten and is severely underserved. Specifically, LGBT youth have difficulty getting access to social services and safe housing while living on the street. Homeless shelters and transitional living facilities often lack policies and procedures that are responsive to the needs of LGBT youth. Further, some homeless youth report harassment and discrimination at these facilities by staff and other residents. In the District of Columbia, there is only one facility, with eight beds, that provides services specifically for homeless LGBT youth. This bill would also require homeless service providers to implement best practices for engaging with LGBT homeless youth. It would also require the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs to outline policies to reduce the rate of homelessness of LGBT youth in the District.

During Council Period 20, Councilmember Cheh will chair the renamed Committee on Transportation and the Environment. The agencies under the Committee’s purview include the District Department of Transportation, the District Department of the Environment, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Works, D.C. Water, and several advisory councils and boards.

Notice of Joint Public Oversight Roundtable on Lorenz Lawn and Landscaping, Inc . Contract

Council of the District of Columbia

Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation,

Committee on Government Operations, and

Committee on Small and Local Business Development

Notice of Joint Public Oversight Roundtable

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20004

COUNCILMEMBER MARY M. CHEH, CHAIRPERSON

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC WORKS,

AND TRANSPORTATION

COUNCILMEMBER MURIEL BOWSWER, CHAIRPERSON

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

AND

COUNCILMEMBER VINCENT ORANGE, CHAIRPERSON

COMMITTEE ON SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC OVERSIGHT ROUNDTABLE ON

Contracts DCKT-2010-CA-0120, DCKT-2010-CB-0120,

and

Contract DCHA-2007-C-0002

Friday, October 7, 2011

11:00 AM

Room 412

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

On Friday, October 7, 2011, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation; Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations; and Councilmember Vincent Orange, Chairperson of the Committee on Small and Local Business Development, will hold a public oversight roundtable on Contract DCKT-2010-CA-0120 with Lorenz Lawn and Landscaping, Inc. (for landscaping services in Wards 3 through 8), Contract DCKT-2010-CB-0120 with Community Bridge, Inc., (for landscaping services in Wards 1 and 2), and Contract DCHA-2007-C-0002 also with Community Bridge, Inc., (for citywide athletic field maintenance). Under the direction of the City Administrator the citywide procurement of lawn care services and snow removal for District facilities and athletic fields was assigned to the Department of Public Works (DPW). This public roundtable will provide an opportunity to clarify the processes that guided these awards. The public hearing will begin at 11:00 am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Ms. Aukima Benjamin, staff assistant to the Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation, at 202-724-8062, or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentation. Witnesses should bring 10 copies of their written testimony and submit a copy of their testimony electronically to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to the Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at the end of the business day on October 21, 2011.

FEED DC Act of 2010

One of the leading causes of the District’s obesity epidemic is a lack of access to healthy food. Many of our poorest neighborhoods are located in “food deserts.” With few places to purchase fresh produce and unprocessed foods, low-income families are often unable to eat healthy foods. The lack of grocery stores also results in more than $100 million annually in lost revenue – and the hundreds of jobs that are supported by it. Few of the corner stores in low-income neighborhoods sell fresh produce or healthy food. By following successful models in Pennsylvania, New York City, and other jurisdictions, we can establish a program using existing District resources that will expand access to healthy food in low-income communities, create jobs, and improve the environment.

Legislative Documents

Introduced version of the Open Government Act (pdf) (April 22, 2010)
Press release announcing introduction of the bill (April 22, 2010)
Councilmember Cheh's Remarks regarding the introduction of the Open Government Act (April 22, 2010)
Hearing Notice for the Open Government Act (May 5, 2010)
Revised version of the Open Government Act (June 4, 2010)
Red-lined, revised version of the Open Government Act (June 4, 2010)
View a Webcast of the Hearing

Testimony

Additional Documents

Links related to Open Government

DC Government pages
DC Open Government Coalition

Submit Comments

National Popular Vote

On April 20, 2010, Councilmember Cheh introduced the National Popular Vote Interstate Agreement Act, which would end the current state-by-state “winner-takes-all” approach, and ensure that the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in the 50 states and the District of Columbia would win the necessary electoral votes to become President. Identical legislation has been adopted in 5 states, and is being considered in 14 other states. To learn more about the National Popular Vote, visit http://www.nationalpopularvote.com.

Legislative Documents

Memorandum circulated by Councilmember Cheh regarding the National Popular Vote Interstate Agreement Act. (April 12, 2010)
The National Popular Vote Interstate Agreement Act, as introduced (April 20, 2010)
Press Release on the Legislation (April 20, 2010)
Hearing Notice for May 19, 2010 (May 5, 2010)

More Articles...

<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 2

Events

If you would like to join Councilmember Cheh's mailing list and to stay informed about her upcoming events and activities, click the button below.