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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT
D.C. ACT 26-95
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
JULY 7, 2025
To amend theDepartmentof HealthFunctionsClarificationAct of 2001 toestablisha farmers
marketsupportprogramwithintheDepartmentofHealthtoprovidetechnicalassistance
tofarmersmarkets,farmstands,andmobilemarkets,torecommend improvementstothe
licensingandpermittingprocessesandregulations,tooverseecoordinationbetween
agenciesregulatingfarmersmarkets,andtoestablishandadministerafarmersmarket
grantprogram;andtoamendtheVendingRegulationActof2009torequiretheMayorto
establishacentralizedapplicationsystemforfarmersmarkets,standardizelicensingand
permittingrequirements,andwaivethefeesforoperatinginalowfoodaccessarea.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
actmay be citedasthe“Farmers Market SupportAmendment Act of 2025”.
Sec.2.The Department of HealthFunctionsClarificationAct of 2001,effectiveOctober
3,2001(D.C.Law 14-28;D.C.OfficialCode§7-731erseq.),isamendedbyaddinganew
subtitleC-iito readas follows:
“SubtitleC-ii.Farmers Markets.
“Sec 4938.Definitions.
“For thepurposesof thissubtitle,theterm:
“(1)“Farmer”meansapersonofentitythatraisesorproduceslocallygrownfarm
productson landthatthepersonorentityfarmsand owns,rents,orleasesfordirectsaleto
consumers.
“(2)“Farmers market”means a market ata fixedlocationwith 2 or more vendors
thatincludesatleastonefarmer,isopentothepublic,isoperatedbyaDistrictorfederal
government agency,a for-profitor non-profitorganization,or one or more farmersor producers,
andoperatesatleast6timespercalendaryear,andwhereatleast50percentofthevendorsare
providingdirect-to-consumersalesoflocallygrownfarmproduetsorlocallyprocessedfood
products,
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(3)“Farmproducts”meansfruits,vegetables,mushrooms,herbs,nuts,shell
‘eggs,honeyorotherbeeproducts,flowers,nurserystock,fish,andlivestockfoodproducts,
includingmeat,milk,cheese,and otherdairyproducts.
“(4)“Farm stand”means a fixedlocationwithone farmervendorthatisopen to
thepublic,operatedbyaDistrictorfederalgovernmentagency,afor-profitornon-profit
organization,orafarmer,andoperatesatleast6timespercalendaryear,andwhereatleast50%
ofsales consistof direct-to-consumersalesof locallygrown farm productsand value-addedfarm
products.
“(3)“Locallygrown” shallhave thesame meaning as providedinsection101(3)
of the HealthySchoolsAct of 2010,effectiveJuly27,2010 (D.C.Law 18-209;D.C. Official
Code § 38-821.01(3)).
“(6)“Locallyprocessedfoodproducts”meansfoodthathasbeenprocessed,
includingcanning,cooking,dehydrating,milling,ortheadditionofother ingredients,inthe
jurisdictionslistedinsection101(3)of theHealthySchoolsAct of 2010,effectiveJuly27,2010
(D.C.Law 18-209;D.C.OfficialCode§38-821.01(3)).Theterm“locallyprocessedfood
products”includescookedready-to-eatfoods,bread,bakedgoods,pickles,jams,andother
value-addedfarmproducts.
“(7)“Lowfoodaccessarea”meansacensustractwhere:
“(A) More than20% of householdsearn 185% or lessof the federal
povertyline;and
“(B)Atleast500peopleor33%,whicheverisgreater,ofthepopulation
livemorethan0.5milesora10-minutewalkfromagrocerystore.
“(8)“Mobile market”means a farm standthattravelsto2 or more fixedlocations
andoperatesatleast6 timespercalendaryear.
“(9)“Producer”means a personor entitythatproduceslocallyprocessedfood
products.
“(10)“Value-addedfarmproduct”meansanyproductprocessedbyaproducer
fromalocallygrownfarmproduct.
“Sec.4939.Farmersmarketsupportprogram.
“(a)There isestablishedwithintheDepartment of Health(“Department”)a farmers
marketsupportprogram (“program”).
“(b)Theprogramshall:
“(1)Provideinformationand technicalassistancerelatingtopermitting,licensure,
acceptingfederaland localbenefits,and any otherrelevantsupporttofarmersmarkets,farm
stands,andmobilemarketsoperatingorseekingtooperateintheDistrict;
“(2)Providerecommendationsto theMayor and Counciltoimprove existing
Districtlicensing,permitting,andprocessesforestablishingandoperatingafarmersmarket,
farm stand,ormobile market,includingrecommendations forimplementingthecentralized
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
applicationsystemestablishedbysection7(b)oftheVendingRegulationActof2009,effective
October22,2009 (D.C. Law 18-71;D.C. OfficialCode § 37-131.06(b));
“(3)ConveneandcoordinatewithDistrictagenciesinvolvedinlicensing,
permitting,and supportingfarmersmarkets,farm stands,and mobile markets,includingthe
OfficeofPlanning, theDistrictDepartmentof Transportation,theDepartmentof Parksand
Recreation,theDepartmentofSmallandLocalBusinessDevelopment,andtheDepartmentof
LicensingandConsumerProtection,forthepurposeofsupportingfarmersmarkets,farmstands,
and mobile marketsintheDistrict,includingestablishingthecentralizedapplicationsystem
undersection7(b)oftheVendingRegulationActof2009,effectiveOctober22,2009(D.C.Law
18-71;D.C.OfficialCode§37-131.06(b));
“(4)Createandupdateannuallyapubliclyavailableonlinemapoffarmers
market,farm stand,and mobile market locations,includingtheirhoursof operation;
“(5)Conduct marketingand promotionalactivitiesforfarmersmarkets,farm
stands,andmobilemarkets,witha focuson thoselocatedinlowfoodaccessareas;
“(6)Administerthefarmersmarketsupportgrantprogramestablishedby
subsection(d)ofthissection;and
“(7)Procureequipmentandservicestoincreasecustomeraccesstofresh
produceandimprovefarmersmarket,farmstand,andmobilemarketinfrastructure.
“(c)Theprogrammay:
“(1)Evaluatethehealthand economic impactsof farmersmarkets,farm stands,
andmobilemarketsoncustomersandnearbybusinesses;
“(2)Applyforfederal,state,orprivategrantprogramsorotherfunding
opportunitiesthatwould supportfarmersmarkets,farmstands,ormobilemarketsintheDistrict
ortheactivitiesoftheprogram;
“(3)Assistfarmersmarkets,farmstands,mobilemarkets,andtheirparticipating
vendorswithacceptingfederalor localnutritionbenefits;
“(4)Assistfarmersmarkets,farm stands,mobile markets,and theirparticipating
vendorsinobtainingtechnologicalequipment,software,orothere-commercetools;and
“(5)Offerdirectsupporttocustomers,includingride-sharebenefits,home
deliveryservices,andotherprograms,thatwouldimproveaccesstofarmersmarkets,farm
stands,ormobile markets.
“(d)Thereisestablishedafarmersmarketsupportgrantprogram(“farmersmarket
grant”)thatshallprovideatleast$250,000 annuallyingrantfundingtosupportfarmersmarkets,
farm stands,and mobile marketslocatedinlow food accessareas.The grantfundingshallbe
usedfor:
“(1)Purchasingmaterialstoestablishorexpandafarmersmarket,farmstand,or
mobilemarket,includingtables,tents,signage,storage,andmarketingmaterials;
“(2)Financialassistancetoan entitylocatedina low food accessareaforthe
purposeofhostingafarmersmarket,farmstand,ormobilemarketonitsproperty;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(3)Operationalandstaffingcosts;“(4)Extendingoperationsforanexistingfarmersmarket,farmstand,ormobilemarketduringcoldweathermonthsoutsideofitsnormaloperatingseason;“(5)Publicsafetyandpost-marketcleanuprelatedservices;
“(6)Wholesalepurchasing,buy-backs,orsubscription-basedpurchasingfromvendorsatthefarmersmarket,farmstand,ormobilemarkettoprovidepredictablerevenue‘streams,or
“(7)Customerincentives,includingmatchingprogramsforfederalandlocal,benefitsandcoupons.“(e)(1)Thefarmersmarketgrantauthorizedbysubsection(d)ofthissectionshallbe
availabletoexistingfarmersmarkets,farmstands,andmobilemarketsinlowfoodaccessareas,andtoentitiesthatshowsufficientproof,asestablishedbytheDepartment’sgrantapplicationprocess,thattheyintendtooperateafarmersmarket,farmstand,ormobilemarketinalowfoodaccessarea.“(2)Preferenceshallbegiventoentitiesthatareprovidinglocallygrownfruitsandvegetables,orwhichincludeDistrict-ownedbusinessesasvendors.”.
Sec.3.TheVendingRegulationActof2009,effectiveOctober22,2009(D.C.Law18-71:D.C.OfficialCode§37-131.01etseq.),isamendedasfollows:(a)Section2(D.C.OfficialCode§37-131.01)isamendedasfollows:(1)Paragraph(1)isredesignatedasparagraph(1B).(2)Newparagraphs(1)and(1A)areaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(1)“Farmersmarket”shallhavethesamemeaningasinsection4938(2)oftheDepartmentofHealthFunctionsClarificationActof2001,passedon2ndreadingonJune17,2025 (Enrolledversionof Bill 26-109).
“(1A)“Parmstand”shallhavethesamemeaningasinsection4938(4)oftheDepartmentofHealthFunctionsClarificationActof2001,passedon2ndreadingonJune17,2025(EnrolledversionofBill26-109).”.(3)Paragraph(2)isredesignatedasparagraph(2A)(4)A newparagraph(2)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(2)“Mobilemarket”shallhavethesamemeaningasinsection4938(8)oftheDepartmentofHealthFunctionsClarificationActof2001,passedon2ndreadingonJune17,2025(EnrolledversionofBill26-109).”.(5)Paragraph(2A)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“includingafarmersmarket,fleamarket,orantiquemarket.”andinsertingthephrase“includingafleamarketorantiquemarket.”initsplace.(b)Section3(b)(3)(D.C.OfficialCode§37-131.02(b)(3))isamendedbystrikingthe
phrase“atapublicmarket”andinsertingthephrase“atafarmersmarketorpublicmarket”initsplace.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
(©)Section4(b)(D.C.OfficialCode§37-131.03(b))isamendedbystrikingthephrase
“eventorpublicmarket”andinsertingthephrase“event,farmersmarket,orpublicmarket”inits
place.(d)Section7 (D.C.OfficialCode § 37-131.06)isamended toreadas follows:
“Sec.7.Publicmarketsand farmersmarkets.
“(a)TheMayormayrequirethepermittingofpublicmarketsandfarmersmarketson
publicspaceandmayrequirethelicensingofmanagersofpublicmarketsandfarmersmarkets
onpublicspaceandprivatespace.
“(b)(1)By January 1,2028, theMayor shallestablisha centralizedapplicationsystem for
thepurposeofstreamliningthelicensingandpermittingoffarmersmarketsthatshall:
“(A) Enablea farmersmarket toprovidetherequireddocumentationto
onegovernmentagencythroughanonlineportal;
“(B)Makethedocumentationavailabletoanyotherrelevantagencyfor
review,includingfora permittooperateon publicspace;
“(C)Clearlycommunicatetoapplicantsthroughtheonlineportalthe
statusoftheirapplication,includingwhethertheyaremissinganyrequireddocumentsandwhich
approvalsarestillpending;and
“(D) Notifytheapplicantwhen each necessarylicenseor permithas been.
approved.
“(2)TheMayorshallpostonapublicfacingwebsitethestandardrequirements
foralicense,permit,orauthorizationtooperateafarmersmarket,farmstand,ormobilemarket
intheDistrict.”.
(€)Section8(a-1)(D.C.OfficialCode § 37-131.07(a-1))isamended as follows:
(1)Striketheterm“farmer'smarket”whereveritappearsandinsertthephrase
“farmersmarket”initsplace.
(2)A newparagraph(2A)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(2A)Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthissection,theMayorshallwaive
alllicensing,permitting,ortemporaryparkingrestrictionfeesfora farmersmarket,farmstand,
ormobilemarketlocated,orapplyingtolocate,inalowfoodaccessarea.”.
(1)Paragraph(3)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(3)Forthepurposesofthissubsection,theterm“lowfoodaccessarea”shall
have thesame definitionasinsection4938(7)of theDepartment of HealthFunctions
ClarificationAct of 2001,passedon 2nd readingon June 17,2025 (Enrolledversionof Bill26-
109).”.
Sec.4.ConformingAmendments,
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
(a)Section101(3)oftheFood,Environmental,andEconomicDevelopmentintheDistrictofColumbiaActof2010,effectiveApril8,2011(D.C.Law18-353;D.C.OficialCode§2-1212.01(3)),isamendedtoreadasfollows:“(3)“Farmersmarket”shallhavethesamemeaningasinsection4938(2)oftheDepartmentofHealthFunctionsClarificationActof2001,passedon2ndreadingonJune17,2025(EnrolledversionofBill26-109).”.(b)TheFoodPolicyCouncilandDirectorEstablishmentActof2014,effectiveMarch10,2015(D.C.OfficialCode§48-311efseq.),isamendedasfollows:
(1)Section2(D.C.OfficialCode§48-311)isamendedasfollows:(A)Paragraph(3)isrepealed.(B)A newparagraph(6A)isaddedtoreadasfollows:*(A)“Lowfoodaccessarea”shallhavethesamedefinitionasinsection4938(7)of theDepartmentofHealthFunetionsClarificationActof2001,passedon2ndreadingonJune17,2025(EnrolledversionofBill26-109).
(2)Section3(D.C.OfficialCode§48-312)isamendedbystrikingtheterm“fooddeserts”bothtimesitappearsandinsertthephrase“lowfoodaccessareas”initsplace.(©)Seetion4oftheHealthServicesPlanningProgramRe-establishmentActof1996,effectiveApril9,1997(D.C.Law11-191;D.C.OfficialCode§44-403),isamendedasfollows:
(1)Subsection(a)isamendedbystrikingthenumber“15”andinsertingthenumber“9”initsplace.
(2)Subsection(c)isamendedasfollows:(A)Paragraph(1)shallbeamendedbystrikingtheword“Four”andinsertingtheword“Two”initsplace.
(B)Paragraph(2)shallbeamendedbystrikingtheword“Three”andinsertingtheword“Two”initsplace.(C)Paragraph(6)isrepealed.(3)Subsection(d)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“Governmentrepresentativesshallserveforthedurationoftheirserviceinthepositionsstatedinsubsection(c)(6)and(7)of
thissection.”andinsertingthephrase“Thegovernmentrepresentativeshallserveforthedurationoftheirserviceinthedescribedposition.”initsplace.(4)Subsection(e)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“2consecutiveterms”andinsertingthephrase“2consecutivefullterms”initsplace.
Sec.5.Applicability.
(a)Sections2,3,and4(a)and(b)shallapplyuponthedateofinclusionoftheirfiscaleffectinanapprovedbudgetandfinancialplan.
(b)TheChiefFinancialOfficershallcertifythedateoftheinclusionofthefiscaleffectinan approvedbudgetand financialplan,and providenoticetotheBudget Directorof theCouncil
ofthecertification.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
(c)(1)TheBudgetDirectorshallcausethenoticeofthecertificationtobepublishedintheDistrictofColumbiaRegister.(2)Thedateofpublicationofthenoticeofthecertificationshallnotaffecttheapplicabilityofprovisionsidentifiedinsubsection(a)ofthissection.
Sec.6.Fiscalimpactstatement.TheCounciladoptsthefiscalimpactstatementinthecommitteereportasthefiscalimpactstatementrequiredbysection4aoftheGeneralLegislativeProceduresActof1975,approvedOctober16,2006(120Stat.2038;D.C.OfficialCode§ 1-301.47a).
Sec.7.Effectivedate.ThisactshalltakeeffectfollowingapprovalbytheMayor(orintheeventofvetobytheMayor,actionbytheCounciltooverridetheveto)anda30-dayperiodofcongressionalreviewasprovidedinsection602(c)(1)oftheDistrictofColumbiaHomeRuleAct,approvedDecember24,1973(87Stat.813;D.C.OfficialCode§1-206.02(c)(1)).
‘Chairman
Councilof theDistrictof Columbia
District¢fColumbiaAPPROVEDJULY 7, 2025
DocketNo.826-0109
[DXITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR,
[UXTACTION
DdVOTEDATE
DaVoicevoTE
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[ROLLCALLVOTE~Result
COUNCILOFTHEDISTRICTOF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON,DC,20004
FirstReading,CC
‘June3,2025
‘Approved
Pinto
CounciMember[Aye[Nay[Nv[AB[Rec[CouncilMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec|CouncMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec
ChairmanMendelson)x Henderson| x Pinto x
‘Allen x LewisGeorge_| x R.White x
Bonds x McDuffie x
Felder x Nadeau x
Frumin x Parker x
X.-IndicateVote AB~Absent NV-Present,NotVoting Rec-Recused CERTIFICATIONRECORD
Cee iyas Counc
DocketNo.826.0109
[X] ITEM ON CONSENT CALENDAR
(UX)ACTION
(X)VOTE DATE
(UX)VOICE VOTE
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
{JROLLCALLVOTE Result
FinalReading,CC
June17,2025
‘Approved
[CouncitMember[Aye|Nay|Nv[AB|Rec|CounciMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec]CouncilMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Reo
ChairmanMendelson]X Henderson x Pinto
‘Allen x LewisGeorge_| x R.White
Bonds x McDuffie x
Felder x Nadeau x
Frumin x Parker x
X-IndicateVote AB~Absent NV--Present,NotVoting Rec-Recused
) CERTIFICATIONRECORD
[ & ART‘SecretarytotheCouni