Bill > B26-0565

This bill, the Strengthening Air Pollution Permitting Amendment Act of 2026, aims to improve air quality regulations in the District of Columbia by expanding the definition of nuisance air pollution to include public spaces, establishing clear timelines for the government to respond to air quality complaints, and increasing civil penalties for violations of air pollution laws. It also allows funds from the Air Quality Construction Permits Fund to be used for environmental cleanup and introduces stricter permitting requirements for both major and minor sources of air pollution, which are facilities that emit or have the potential to emit significant amounts of air pollutants. These enhanced permits will include specific emission limits, community engagement obligations, and operational restrictions based on air quality levels, and the bill mandates timely agency review of these permits, setting deadlines for processing applications and renewals. Furthermore, it allows residents and corporations to bring civil actions to enforce air quality laws and enables the People's Counsel to represent the public in such matters, while also making contractors with repeated air pollution violations ineligible for District contracts.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0565