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PR26-0646 • 2025

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Felder
Last action
2026-05-15
Official status
Approved
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify the exact duration of these emergency changes or the consequences for non-compliance with new rules.

Emergency Declaration for Certified Business Enterprise Program

This resolution declares an emergency to support the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program by requiring businesses to be independently owned and operated, setting performance standards, and establishing fair hearing procedures.

What This Bill Does

  • Declares that there is an urgent need to update rules for businesses in the CBE program.
  • Requires businesses applying for certification as a local business enterprise to be independently owned and run.
  • Sets new minimum requirements for how well certified joint ventures must perform.
  • Creates fair hearing procedures when businesses are accused of not following the rules.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Businesses applying for certification as a local business enterprise
  • The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
  • Local businesses participating in the CBE program

Terms To Know

Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)
A business that is certified by the government as a local business enterprise.
Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
The agency in charge of supporting small and local businesses in the District of Columbia.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if a business does not follow the new rules.
  • Does not explain how long these emergency changes will last.
  • Does not provide details on how to apply for CBE certification.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-15 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Resolution R26-0396 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 007305

  2. 2026-05-05 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  3. 2026-05-05 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Approved with Resolution Number R26-0396

  4. 2026-04-21 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council

  5. 2026-04-20 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    PR26-0646 Introduced by Councilmember Felder at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED ORIGINAL

1

A RESOLUTION

26-396

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

May 5, 2026

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Small and
Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005 to require a
business applying for certification as a local business enterprise to be independently
owned and operated, to amend minimum certified business enterprise performance
requirements in a certified joint venture, and to establish uniform hearing procedures for
enforcement actions.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and
Enforcement Support Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026”.

Sec. 2. (a) A Certified Business Enterprise (“CBE”) is a business enterprise certified by
the Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD”) as a local business
enterprise.
(b) Businesses with CBE certification may receive preference when submitting bids or
proposals for procurement and contracting opportunities.
(c) There are currently over 2,000 businesses participating in the District’s CBE program.
(d) In 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Council passed a series of emergency acts (“the Acts”)
that required local businesses participating in the CBE program to be independently owned and
operated, thereby furthering the spirit of the Small and Certified Business Enterprise
Development and Assistance Act of 2005, effective October 20, 2005 (D.C. Law 16-33; D.C.
Official Code § 2-218.01 et seq.) (“CBE Act”).
(e) Emergency legislation is needed to reinstate the most recent version of the provisions
passed by Council in the Acts, which expired on March 29, 2026.
(f) Further, following a revocation hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings,
DSLBD determined that uniform hearing procedures for complaints needed to be established
expeditiously to ensure procedural consistency and fairness for businesses, as well as increased
effectiveness and efficiency in departmental compliance and enforcement procedures.
(g) Accordingly, emergency legislation is needed to maintain provisions passed by the
Council in the Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support
Temporary Amendment Act of 2025, effective August 16, 2025 (D.C. Law 26-25; 72 DCR
7536), that clarified and updated procedures under section 2363 of the CBE Act.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL

2

(h) Failure to move these amendments will have an adverse effect on CBE program
administration, agency operations, and agency compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances
enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the
Certified Business Enterprise Program Compliance and Enforcement Support Emergency
Amendment Act of 2026 be adopted after a single reading.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.