6219754 Public Hearing on B21-610, The Risk-Based Capital Amendment Act of 2016, B21-656, Relocation Expenses Recoupment and Lien Authority Amendment Act of 2016, B21-742, Charitable Solutions Relief Amendment Act of 2016, B21-766, B21-862, and B21-...  

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    CHAIRPERSON BRIANNE K. NADEAU

    COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

    SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS

    ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING

    on

    B21-610, The Risk-Based Capital Amendment Act of 2016;

     

    B21-656, Relocation Expenses Recoupment and Lien Authority Amendment Act of 2016;

     

    B21-742, Charitable Solutions Relief Amendment Act of 2016;

     

    B21-766, Secondhand Games and Puzzles Regulation Amendment Act of 2016

     

    B21-862, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Community Partnership Amendment Act of 2016

     

    and

     

    B21-877, Student Loan Ombudsman Establishment and Servicing Regulation Act of 2016;

    on

    Thursday, October 20, 2016

    9:00 a.m., Hearing Room 500, John A. Wilson Building

    1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

    Washington, DC 20004

     

     

    Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, announces a public hearing before the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs on B21-610, “The Risk-Based Capital Amendment Act of 2016”; B21-656, “Relocation Expenses Recoupment and Lien Authority Amendment Act of 2016”; B21-742, “Charitable Solutions Relief Amendment Act of 2016”; B21-766, “Secondhand Games and Puzzles Regulation Amendment Act of 2016;” B21-862, “Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Community Partnership Amendment Act of 2016,” and B21-877, “Student Loan Ombudsman Establishment and Servicing Regulation Act of 2016.” The hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2016 in room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. 

     

    The stated purpose of Bill 21-610, The Risk-Based Capital Amendment Act of 2016,” is to enable the District to retain its accreditation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") by conforming to key, nationally accepted risk­based capital standards. NAIC changed the trigger point for the Risk-Based Capital trend test for life insurers from 2.5 to 3.0. This legislation will also ensure that fraternal benefit societies (any insurance company licensed under the Fraternal Benefit Societies Act of 1998) in the District are subject to the District's risk-based capital requirements.

     

    The stated purpose of Bill 21-656, the “Relocation Expenses Recoupment and Lien Authority Amendment Act of 2016,” is to give the District the collection authority to recoup the cost of emergency housing assistance provided for displaced tenants, where the housing provider has not satisfied their obligations regarding maintenance of the rental accommodation. The legislation establishes the Emergency Housing and Relocation Assistance Fund (“Fund”), which is a special fund, to be administered by the Office of the Tenant Advocate, to collect revenue from the fines, penalties, interest, charges, and costs collected pursuant to the Act. The Fund shall be used to offset the costs of providing emergency housing and relocation assistance. The bill also specifies the assessment of expenses for recoupment, the required notice of the expenses to the owner, how the owner may contest liability for the expenses, and how the District shall impose liens to collect unpaid amounts.

     

    The stated purpose of Bill 21-742, the “Charitable Solutions Relief Amendment Act of 2016,” is to authorize the Mayor, in place of the Council, through regulations, to prescribe the terms and conditions under which charitable solicitations may be exempted from the certificate of registration requirement. This legislation also increases the maximum exemption amount from $1,500 to $25,000. Exorbitant registration fees can be prohibitive for small community based or neighborhood non-profits. B21-742 will support the District’s smaller non-profits to grow as they serve numerous charitable purposes in the District.

     

    The stated purpose of Bill 21-766, the “Secondhand Games and Puzzles Regulation Amendment Act of 2016,” is to exempt businesses that sell secondhand puzzles, non-electronic games, or game pieces from being required to obtain a secondhand dealer license.

     

    The stated purpose of Bill 21-862, the “Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Community Partnership Amendment Act of 2016,” is to create an exemption from the requirement to obtain a basic business license for businesses with de minimus business activity. It also requires that landlords register a 24-hour contact number with the agency and post that number in a common area or in each unit for rent. Further, the bill protects District homeowners against higher vacant property tax rates by ensuring that only the owner of record, or an authorized agent, may register the property as vacant. A passerby's report of a suspected vacant property will be required to go through a standard complaint and inspection process before a homeowner receives an increased tax bill.

     

    The stated purpose of Bill 21-877, the “Student Loan Ombudsman Establishment and Servicing Regulation Act of 2016,” is to establish a Student Loan Ombudsman (“Ombudsman”) within the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (“DISB”). The Mayor shall appoint the Ombudsman. Alongside the DISB Commissioner, the Ombudsman’s responsibilities shall include receiving, reviewing, and attempting to resolve any complaints from student loan borrowers, including attempts to resolve such complaints in collaboration with other participants in student loan lending. The Ombudsman shall also compile and analyze data on student loan borrower complaints and complete an annual report. The report will include the average student loan debt for graduates of degree and certificate programs; assist student loan borrowers in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the terms of student education loans; and monitor the actions student loan servicers.

     

    Those who wish to testify are asked to notify the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs through Faye Caldwell: fcaldwell@dccouncil.us, or (202) 724-6683, and to provide your name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Tuesday, October 18, 2016.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  Public witnesses should limit their testimony to three minutes and representatives of organizations should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.  A copy of the legislation can be obtained through the Legislative Services Division of the Secretary of the Council’s office or on http://lims.dccouncil.us.

     

    If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Written statements should be submitted to the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Committee of the Whole, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 119 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2016.