summary
Introduced
07/03/2025
07/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
26th Council
Bill Summary
A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To authorize and provide for the issuance of grants to local news outlets through the creation of a system of coupons that may be allocated by registered voters to the news outlets of their choice, to establish registration and eligibility requirements for news outlets to participate in the grant program, to require each news outlet to hold grant funds in a separate account pending their expenditure, to create a statutory lien on the separate account in favor of the District to secure the news outlet’s obligation to comply with this act, to establish the Community Journalism Board as an independent executive branch agency to administer the provisions of this act, to authorize (subject to appropriations) the dedication of 0.1% of the District’s General Fund budget to fund the news coupon grant program, and to further authorize the Board to issue journalism development grants to support training and technical assistance to news outlets and individuals; and to make conforming changes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a Local News Grant Program for the District of Columbia that allows registered voters to allocate news coupons to local news outlets, effectively providing public funding for journalism. Each registered voter will receive 5 news coupons annually to distribute to registered news outlets that meet specific eligibility criteria, such as producing original local reporting and making content accessible for free. A newly created seven-member Community Journalism Board will administer the program, with members appointed by various District government entities. The program will be funded by dedicating 0.1% of the District's General Fund budget to redemption grants, which will be distributed quarterly based on the number of news coupons allocated to each eligible news outlet. News outlets must register with the Board, maintain a separate program account, and adhere to reporting and disclosure requirements. The bill includes provisions to prevent coupon trading or selling, ensures transparency through a secure online system, and allows the Board to investigate violations and impose sanctions. Additionally, the program includes provisions for journalism development grants to support training and technical assistance for news outlets. The bill aims to support local journalism by creating a voter-directed public funding mechanism while establishing robust oversight and accountability measures.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Human Services (on 03/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0314 |
| BillText | https://lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LIMS/58143/Introduction/B26-0314-Introduction.pdf |
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