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B26-0737

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:28 AM

In one sentence

This law updates rules for the Certified Business Enterprise Program in Washington, D.C., by requiring independent ownership, changing work requirements for joint ventures, defining types of complaints, and setting clear steps for penalties and hearings.

Requires a business applying for local enterprise certification to be independently owned and operated without outside control or restriction from another entity with a financial interest.
Updates the definition of an 'economically disadvantaged individual' to require at least 51% ownership and limits personal net worth based on U.S. Department of Transportation rules.
Changes joint venture rules so each partner must perform work equal to their percentage ownership share, while keeping subcontracting requirements at 35% for other certified businesses.
Defines a 'formal complaint' as one submitted in writing that is sworn and notarized, and an 'informal complaint' as any report made by phone, email, or hotline without those formal steps.
Requires the Department to issue a notice describing the reason for action and how to request a hearing before imposing penalties or revoking certification.
Allows businesses 10 days after receiving a notice to request a hearing; if no hearing is requested in time, the penalty becomes final.
Sets a rule that businesses with revoked certifications cannot apply again until 36 months have passed unless early reissuance is approved by the Department.

Businesses applying for or holding certification as local business enterprises in Washington, D.C.
Certified joint ventures that partner to perform government contracts.
The Department responsible for managing the Certified Business Enterprise Program and investigating complaints.
Individuals who file formal or informal complaints about violations of the program rules.

The official text provided does not state a specific effective date for when these changes begin.
The source text cuts off while describing the conditions under which a reissued certification takes effect, so full details on that process are missing.

Plain language

Independently owned and operated: A business that manages its daily work without being controlled, restricted, modified, or limited by another company with a financial interest in it.
Formal complaint: A written accusation of rule-breaking that is sworn to under oath and notarized before submission.
Informal complaint: Any report of a violation made in person, by email, phone, or through the Department's hotline that does not require notarization.
Certified joint venture: A partnership between businesses where each partner must perform work matching their percentage ownership interest.

Official record

Source attached

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Official activity