D.C. Law 23-194. Electric Vehicle Readiness Amendment Act of 2020.

AN ACT

To amend the Green Building Act of 2006 to require that new construction or substantial improvement of a commercial building or a multi-unit building that includes 3 or more off-street parking spots include electrical vehicle make-ready infrastructure for at least 20% of the parking spaces, to require the Mayor to issue rules to implement the provisions of this act, including rules to establish a waiver process when a property owner demonstrates severe financial hardship, and to require the Department of Energy and Environment to establish incentives for property owners to install electric vehicle make-ready infrastructure in a greater percentage than required under the act.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Electric Vehicle Readiness Amendment Act of 2020".

Sec. 2. The Green Building Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-234; D.C. Official Code § 6-1451.01 et seq.), is amended as follows:

(a) Section 2 (D.C. Official Code § 6-1451.01) is amended as follows:

(1) New paragraphs (11A) and (11B) are added to read as follows:

"(11A) "Electric vehicle" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 3(4) of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, approved September 17, 1976 (90 Stat. 1261; 15 U.S.C. § 2502(4)).

"(11B) "Electric vehicle charging site" means any location, including any public space in the District, that has installed electric vehicle supply equipment.".

(2) A new paragraph (32B) is added to read as follows:

"(32B) "Multi-unit building" means a residential building with 5 or more dwelling units.".

(b) A new section 4a is added to read as follows:

"Sec. 4a. Electric vehicle make-ready parking spaces in new multi-unit residential and commercial buildings.

"(a) For building permits issued after January 1, 2022, all new construction or substantial improvement of commercial buildings and multi-unit buildings that have 3 or more automobile off-road parking spaces shall include electric vehicle make-ready infrastructure to accommodate the future installation of an electric vehicle charging site at least 20% of the parking spaces.

"(b) By September 30, 2021, the Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this section, including rules that:

"(1) Detail the technical specifications required for the electric vehicle make-ready infrastructure required by subsection (a) of this section; and

"(2) Establish standards for a waiver of the requirements of subsection (a) of this section when a property owner demonstrates severe financial hardship.

"(c) By September 30, 2021, the Department of Energy and Environment shall establish incentives for owners of commercial buildings and multi-unit buildings to install electric vehicle make-ready infrastructure at a greater percentage of parking spaces than the 20% minimum required by subsection (a) of this section. The Department may establish additional initiatives at any time.".

Sec. 3. Applicability.

(a) This act shall apply upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan.

(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification.

(c)(1) The Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register.

(2) The date of publication of the notice of the certification shall not affect the applicability of this act.

Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 5. Effective date.

This act shall take effect following approval of the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December

24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.

Law Information

Cites

  • D.C. Law 23-194 (PDF)
  • D.C. Act 23-572 (PDF)
  • 68 DCR 001100

Effective

Mar. 16, 2021

Legislative History (LIMS)

Law 23-194, the “Electric Vehicle Readiness Amendment Act of 2020,” was introduced in the Council and assigned Bill No. 23-193 which was referred to the Transportation and the Environment, Committee of the Whole. The bill was adopted on first and second readings on Nov. 17, 2020, and Dec. 1, 2020, respectively. After mayoral review, it was assigned Act No. 23-572 on Jan. 13, 2021, and transmitted to Congress for its review. D.C. Law 23-194 became effective Mar. 16, 2021.