D.C. Law 23-24. Mypheduh Films DBA Sankofa Video and Books Real Property Tax Exemption Act of 2019.

AN ACT

To amend Chapter 46 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to exempt from taxation the real property described as Lot 884, Square 2885, located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., and to provide equitable tax relief.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Mypheduh Films DBA Sankofa Video and Books Real Property Tax Exemption Act of 2019".

Sec. 2. Chapter 46 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows:

(a) The table of contents is amended by adding a new section designation to read as follows:

47-4670. Mypheduh Films DBA Sankofa Video and Books; Lot 884, Square 2885.

(b) A new section 47-4670 is added to read as follows:

"Sec. 47-4670. Mypheduh Films DBA Sankofa Video and Books, Lot 884, Square 2885.

"(a) The real property designated for tax purposes as Lot 884, Square 2885, located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., ("Property"), which is owned by Mypheduh Films, Inc., (dba) Sankofa Video and Books, shall be exempt from the tax imposed by Chapter 8 of this title for the period beginning October 1, 2019, and ending September 30, 2029; provided, that:

"(1) The Property is owned and maintained by Mypheduh Films, Inc., (dba) Sankofa Video and Books, or by an entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by Mypheduh Films, Inc., (dba) Sankofa Video and Books;

"(2) The Property is operated as a cafe, video store, or bookstore;

"(3) At least 51% of permanent jobs in the Sankofa Video and Books are filled by District residents, with a minimum of 30% of the District-resident jobs reserved for Ward One residents; and

"(4) All apprenticeships are reserved for District residents, with preference given to Ward One residents.

"(b)(1) In each year of the exemption period, the Mayor shall certify to the Office of Tax and Revenue the Property's eligibility for the exemption provided pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

"(2) If at any time the Mayor determines that the Property has become ineligible for the exemption provided pursuant to subsection (a) this section, the Mayor shall notify the Office of Tax and Revenue and shall specify the date that the Property became ineligible.".

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia orders that all real property taxes, interest, penalties, fees, and other related charges assessed against as Lot 884, Square 2885, for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending 45 days after the effective date of this act be forgiven and any payment made for this period be refunded to the person who made the payment.

Sec. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Effective date.

This act shall take effect following approval by 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 23-24 (PDF)
  • 66 DCR 9759

Effective

Sept. 11, 2019

Legislative History (LIMS)

Law 23-24, the “Mypheduh Films DBA Sankofa Video and Books Real Property Tax Exemption Act of 2019,” was introduced in the Council and assigned Bill No. 23-75 which was referred to the Committee on Finance and Revenue. The bill was adopted on first and second readings on June 25, 2019, and July 9, 2019, respectively. After mayoral review, it was assigned Act No. 23-107 on July 24, 2019, and transmitted to Congress for its review. D.C. Law 23-24 became effective Sept. 11, 2019.