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The Collins Council Report: RENTAL Act, the Commanders’ Return, and Public Safety Questions

September 18, 2025

of "The Collins Council Report" The D.C. Council recently reconvened after recess to address several significant legislative matters, including passing the RENTAL Act and the Robert F. Kennedy Campus Redevelopment Act. During their September 17 legislative meeting, council members debated numerous amendments to both acts, with the RENTAL Act passing 10-3 and the RFK Campus Redevelopment Act passing 11-2.

Who is affected

  • D.C. residents facing housing insecurity, including those in subsidized, transitional, and affordable housing
  • Tenants and landlords impacted by the RENTAL Act provisions
  • Residents of Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 near the RFK campus development
  • Youth subject to the emergency juvenile curfew
  • Go-go artists and bands seeking funding from the Go-Go Support Program
  • D.C. police officers receiving increased compensation
  • Communities experiencing encounters with federalized law enforcement agencies, including ICE

What action is being taken

  • The Council is implementing the RENTAL Act with provisions addressing tenant protections, eviction processes, and TOPA (Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act) requirements
  • The Council is moving forward with the Robert F. Kennedy Campus Redevelopment Act to bring the Washington Commanders back to D.C. with community benefit agreements and development milestones
  • Mayor Bowser issued a mayoral order outlining District cooperation with federal government on public safety matters, excluding ICE
  • The Council is continuing to advance a $300 million collective bargaining agreement with the D.C. Police Union that raises the salary floor to $75,000
  • Council members are making trips to Capitol Hill to advocate against federal interference in D.C. affairs
  • The Council is reviewing the extension of the juvenile curfew through upcoming votes

Why it matters

  • The RENTAL Act could significantly impact affordable housing availability and tenant-landlord relationships in the District
  • The RFK campus redevelopment represents a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for economic development in Ward 7, which currently lacks an anchor institution
  • Federal interference threatens D.C.'s home rule and democratic governance, with Congress advancing bills that would limit the District's control over sentencing laws and judicial appointments
  • The police compensation agreement aims to boost recruitment amid concerns about public safety and federal control
  • Housing affordability remains critical as many residents reported they "simply couldn't afford to stay in D.C." without housing support
  • Community concerns about the federalization of police have strained community-police relations, particularly regarding cooperation with ICE

What's next

  • The Council will conduct a second and final vote on the Juvenile Curfew Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act during the October 7 legislative meeting
  • The Senate will need to consider the House-passed bills affecting D.C. laws, requiring 60 votes to overcome a filibuster
  • D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau is advancing a bill through the Committee on Transportation and the Environment aimed at reducing littering via a bottle deposit program
  • The D.C. government and Washington Commanders will continue developing transaction documents and construction plans for the RFK campus, with quarterly updates required from the Executive Office of the Mayor
  • Ongoing monitoring of the "transition period" where ICE's presence on D.C. streets is supposed to be reduced

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer