DC council passes emergency legislation allowing more closed-door meetings

Yahoo

01-04-2025

WASHINGTON () — The D.C. Council voted Tuesday to amend the Open Meetings Act, allowing for more closed-door meetings.
'There is constantly a complaint that the ability to have a conversation, just a conversation, is impeded. That's what this legislation gets to,' said Chairman Phil Mendelson (D).
Under the emergency legislation, the council will be allowed to have private meetings — without the required two business days' notice to the public — if the group is being briefed on a potential terrorist threat, public health threats or having a meeting with the mayor. No votes or official action can be taken.
'It doesn't close the meeting where action is taken. In fact, it preserves most of the existing law,' said Mendelson.
The legislation cites 'consequential, large-scale business and economic development…' like the arena deal with Monumental Sports and Entertainment, as an example of when a closed-door meeting may be necessary.
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It also points to the need for privacy when strategizing on federal issues and interference, after Congress passed a recent spending bill that cut $1 billion from D.C.'s budget.
'This emergency legislation is particularly necessary in the current political climate to allow the council to be briefed as a body in a timely manner and to develop appropriate responses to rapidly unfolding issues,' said the legislation.
Still, some advocacy groups have come out in opposition to the changes.
'They work for the public, they work for the people of the District of Columbia,' said Bob Becker. 'And the people of D.C. have the right to know why they're doing things, not only what they're doing but why they're doing it.'
Becker is a member of the
The group sent a letter to the council criticizing the legislation. Becker worries it'll impact public trust and transparency.
'[The public] has a right to be confident that [the council isn't] giving in to special interests,' he said.
Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) introduced legislation to narrow the scope of what discussions can happen behind closed doors, limiting it to economic development negotiations or federal government relations. That amendment failed.
Because the legislation was passed on emergency, it will go into effect for 90 days without a public hearing.
A hearing on the permanent legislation is set for April 22.
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