FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – Today, during the Council of the District of Columbia’s 36th legislative meeting, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto co-introduced emergency legislation and moved an amendment that helps to strengthen the District’s post-pandemic local restaurant economy and additionally, voted in favor of legislation that she co-introduced to preserve the integrity of the District’s certified business enterprise program. Councilmember Pinto also supported measures to govern the use of electric mobility vehicles (e-scooters), expand voting rights, and protect tenants during and after the public health emergency.
Councilmember Pinto joined Ward 5 Councilmember and Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development Kenyan McDuffie to co-introduce Bill 23-0942, the Revised Streatery and Pop Up Locations Programs Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. This legislation, along with Councilmember Pinto’s amendment, was passed unanimously to extend the registration validity date for the operation of restaurant streateries by more than one year from October 25, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
“Restaurant streateries have provided an economic lifeline for our city as we work to overcome the financial effects of the public health pandemic. Our hospitality establishments provide safe spaces for District residents to get back to work, help to revitalize local supply chains, and are integral to our culture in the District,” said Councilmember Pinto. “This amendment is necessary to send a clear message to restaurant owners that further investments in creating, improving, and expanding streateries will be worthwhile investments.”
Bill 23-0917, the Local Business Enterprise Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2020, which was also co-introduced by Councilmember Pinto and Councilmember McDuffie, was passed by the Council, as well. This legislation closes a legal loophole that allowed entities not intended to be included in the program, to obtain the designation and benefits of a “Certified Business Enterprise” or “CBE”. “Protecting Certified Business Enterprises and the certification process is critical to bolstering our local economy and ensuring fair opportunities for contracting with the District,” said Councilmember Pinto.
Councilmember Pinto is dedicated to improving the District’s public safety and judicial systems and ensuring that they work for all residents. During the legislative meeting, she voted in favor of Bill 23-0324, the Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2020 to restore voting rights to incarcerated District residents with a felony conviction and the Bill 23-0940, the Fairness in Renting Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 to authorize the District’s Superior Court to seal eviction records and to provide additional protections for tenants during and following the public health emergency.
Councilmember Pinto also voted in favor of Bill 23-0359, the Shared Fleet Devices Amendment Act of 2020. This bill mandates that the Department of Transportation create rules governing the use of electric mobility devices such as e-scooters, require a permit to operate an electric mobility device fleet, and establish fleet maintenance requirements.
The Council of the District of Columbia will reconvene for a meeting of the Committee of the Whole on the morning of Tuesday, October 20, 2020. For additional information on this event or to learn about one of many public hearings occurring throughout the month, visit https://dccouncil.us/events/.
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