5305723 Resolution 20-726, Business Improvement Districts Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014

A RESOLUTION

 

20-726

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

December 17, 2014

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency, due to congressional review, with respect to the need to amend the Business Improvement Districts Act of 1996 to update the laws concerning business improvement districts.

 

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Business Improvement Districts Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014”.

 

Sec. 2. (a) The Business Improvement Districts Amendment Act of 2014, signed by the Mayor on October 8, 2014 (D.C. Act 20-441; 61 DCR 10741) (“permanent legislation”), was transmitted to Congress on November 12, 2014, for the 30-day review period required by section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).  The permanent legislation is not likely to become law until 2015.

            (b) The amendments made by this legislation allow the business improvement districts to update their bylaws and other measures as well as partake in updated payment methods.  The legislation also contains updated definitions of what properties are taxable as well as updated taxation procedures.

(c) The changes made in the legislation allow the business improvement districts to incorporate different property types as well as incorporate adjacent properties along with the changes to meeting protocol and payment options.

            (d)  In October 2014, the Council enacted the Business Improvement Districts Emergency Amendment Act of 2014, effective October 7, 2014 (D.C. Act 20-435; 61 DCR 10717) ("emergency legislation"), to enact the amendments in the permanent legislation as soon as possible.    The emergency legislation expires on January 5, 2015.

            (e) It is important that the provisions of the emergency legislation continue in effect, without interruption, until the permanent legislation is law.      

  

            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 Business Improvement Districts Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2014 be adopted after a single reading.

 

            Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.