Code of the District of Columbia

§ 3–664. Commission on Nightlife and Culture.

(a) There is established a Commission on Nightlife and Culture, which shall advise the Mayor, Council, Office, and public on ways to improve laws and policies that impact nightlife establishments and residents living near such establishments by examining the following issues affecting areas with high concentrations of nightlife establishments:

(1) Common complaints;

(2) Public safety and traffic concerns;

(3) Community development concerns;

(4) Economic impact;

(5) The availability and responsiveness of the Office and relevant agencies to the concerns brought by nightlife establishments and residents; and

(6) Any other issues the Commission considers relevant.

(b)(1) The Commission shall consist of the following 8 ex officio members, or their designees:

(A) The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development;

(B) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs;

(C) The Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development;

(D) The Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration;

(E) The Executive Director of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities;

(F) The President of Destination DC;

(G) The President of Events DC; and

(H) The President of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership.

(2) The Commission shall consist of 7 members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council pursuant to § 1-523.01(f). Members appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall meet the following requirements:

(A) One member shall be an owner of a business holding an on-premises retailer's license pursuant to § 25-113;

(B) One member shall be a person sitting on the board of directors of a Business Improvement District, as defined in § 2-1215.02(7);

(C) One member shall be a dean, director, or equivalent position focused on student life at a District-based college or university where at least 50% of undergraduate students live in college- or university-owned, operated, or affiliated housing;

(D) One member shall be a representative of an organization that advocates for preventing sexual harassment and assault;

(E) One member shall be a District-based musician or producer working in the music industry;

(F) One member shall be a District-based artist or director in the performing arts; and

(G) One member shall be a District-based visual artist.

(c)(1) Members appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section shall serve terms of 3 years, except that of the initial members, 4 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years and 3 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years. Members may be reappointed but shall not serve more than 2 consecutive full terms, including members serving in the initial 2-year term. Terms for the initial Commission members shall begin on the date that a majority of the members are sworn in, which shall become the anniversary date for all subsequent appointments.

(2) If a member appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section leaves the Commission, the Mayor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Council, a successor to fill the unexpired portion of the term in accordance with § 1-523.01(f).

(3) The Mayor may remove, after notice and hearing, any member appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section for neglect of duty, incompetence, misconduct, or malfeasance in office.

(d) The Mayor shall appoint the Chairperson of the Commission from among the members.

(e) All members shall serve without compensation. Expenses incurred by the Commission or by its individual members, when authorized by the Chairperson, shall become an obligation to the extent of appropriated District and federal funds designated for that purpose.

(f) The Commission shall meet at least once every 3 months. The meetings shall be held in a space provided by the District government and shall be open to the public. A quorum to transact business shall consist of a majority of the members.

(g) The Commission shall adopt rules of procedure consistent with this section.