District of ColumbiaD.C. youth council would advise leaders once approved budget includes costs
A 17-member youth council would advise D.C. leaders on climate and conservation once an approved budget includes the law’s costs.
What it does
Once an approved budget includes the law’s costs, a youth council would advise D.C. officials on climate, conservation, and green jobs. Officials would not have to follow its advice.
Once an approved budget includes the law’s costs, officials would appoint 14 D.C. resident high school students and three D.C. residents ages 18 to 21. The council would meet monthly.
Once an approved budget includes the law’s costs, members could receive up to $1,000 a year or recognition for volunteer hours. Repayment of work expenses depends on available funding.
Argument forIf the budget condition is met, young people could bring their views to officials making decisions about climate policy and green jobs.
Argument againstIf the budget condition is met, staff support and possible stipends could use city resources even though officials need not follow the council’s advice.
More detail
The youth council would advise the mayor, D.C. Council, and city agencies. Its advice would cover climate change, conservation, and green job opportunities for young people. The council’s recommendations would be advice that officials need not follow. These provisions apply when their fiscal effect is included in an approved budget and financial plan.
The mayor and eight ward councilmembers would appoint 17 voting members. Fourteen seats would go to D.C. resident high school students; the other three would go to D.C. residents ages 18 to 21. Applicants must have strong ties to D.C. and know how the council’s topics affect the city. The first appointments would be due within 180 days after these provisions become applicable.
Council members could receive up to $1,000 a year or recognition for volunteer hours. These options apply to appointed youth council members. The Mayor may set rules for stipends. Schools may give academic credit if they allow it. The environment department may repay reasonable work expenses when funding is available. These provisions apply when their fiscal effect is included in an approved budget and financial plan.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 23Law L26-0062, Effective from Dec 31, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 000595Latest
- 2025
- Nov 21Act A26-0179 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 012840
- Nov 17Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Nov 10Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0179Became Law
- Oct 28Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Nov 12, 2025To Governor
- Oct 21Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Oct 7First Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Sep 25Committee Mark-up of B26-0066 by the Transportation and the Environment Committee
- Mar 31Public Hearing on B26-0066 View Public Hearing Record
- Mar 14Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Mar 12Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Transportation and the EnvironmentMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Committee on Transportation and the EnvironmentMinor
- Jan 31Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0066 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Jan 17B26-0066 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Environment & EnergyEducationGovernment & Ethics