District Of Columbia 2025-2026 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill B26-0146 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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6		-
7		-	AN ACT
8		-
9		-	___________
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12		-	IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
13		-
14		-	___________
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16		-
17		-	To approve, on an emergency basis, due to congressional review, the development and financing
18		-	agreement for the redevelopment of the downtown arena, to approve an agreement for the
19		-	disposition by lease of certain real property owned by the District government for the
20		-	redevelopment and operation of the downtown arena, to approve a purchase and sale
21		-	agreement for the downtown arena, to authorize the granting of certain easements related
22		-	to the downtown arena property, to authorize airspace leases associated with the
23		-	downtown arena, to continue and provide for property tax abatements and deed transfer
24		-	and recordation tax exemptions for the downtown arena, and to authorize the issuance of
25		-	rules to provide for additional signage on the downtown arena.
26		-
27		-	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
28		-	act may be cited as the “Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency Act
29		-	of 2025”.
30		-
31		-	Sec. 2. Approval of development and financing agreement, amended and restated lease,
32		-	and purchase and sale agreement for the downtown arena.
33		-	(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Procurement Practices Reform Act of 2010,
34		-	effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18- 371; D.C. Official Code § 2-351.01 et seq. ), An Act
35		-	Authorizing the sale of certain real estate in the District of Columbia no longer required for
36		-	public purposes, approved August 5, 1939 (53 Stat. 1211; D.C. Official Code § 10- 801 et seq.),
37		-	the Verizon Center Sales Tax Revenue Bond Approval Act of 2007, effective July 12, 2007 (D.C.
38		-	Law 17-12; D.C. Official Code § 10- 1604.01 et seq. ), the Public-Private Partnership Act of 2014,
39		-	effective March 11, 2015 (D.C. Law 20- 228; D.C. Official Code § 2-271.01 et seq. ), and any
40		-	other law, and, as applicable, pursuant to section 451 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act,
41		-	approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 803; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.51), the Council
42		-	approves and the Mayor may enter into and effectuate the provisions of the:
43		-	(1) Development and Financing Agreement between District of Columbia and DC
44		-	Arena L.P., regarding the downtown arena (“Development and Financing Agreement”),
45		-	submitted by the Mayor to the Council on October 18, 2024; ENROLLED ORIGINAL
46		-
47		-
48		-
49		-	2
50		-
51		-	(2) Amended and Restated Lease by and between the District of Columbia and
52		-	DC Arena L.P., regarding the downtown arena (“Amended and Restated Lease”), submitted by
53		-	the Mayor to the Council on October 18, 2024; and
54		-	(3) Agreement f or the Purchase and Sale of Real Property (Improvements Only)
55		-	between District of Columbia a nd DC Arena L.P., regarding the downtown arena (“Purchase and
56		-	Sale Agreement”), submitted by the Mayor to the Council on October 18, 2024.
57		-	(b) The Mayor may take such actions as are appropriate to implement the Development
58		-	and Financing Agreement, the Amended and Restated Lease, and the Purchase and Sale
59		-	Agreement.
60		-	(c) Notwithstanding the lead- in text of subsection (a) of this section and the dollar value
61		-	of government assistance received pursuant to the Development and Financing Agreement, the
62		-	following statutory provisions shall apply to the Development and Financing Agreement:
63		-	(1) Sections 2, 4(a), (b), (c), (e)(1), (1C), (2), (3), (4), and (5), and 4a of the First
64		-	Source Employment Agreement Act of 1984 (“First Source Act”) , effective June 29, 1984 (D.C.
65		-	Law 5-93; D.C. Official Code §§ 2- 219.01, 2- 219.03(a), (b), (c), (e)(1), (1C), (2), (3), (4), and
66		-	(5), and 2- 219.03a); and
67		-	(2) Section 5 of the Amendments to An Act To Provide for Voluntary
68		-	Apprenticeship in the District of Columbia Act of 1978, effective March 6, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
69		-	156; D.C. Official Code § 32- 1431).
70		-
71		-	Sec. 3. Authority to grant easements over the downtown arena property.
72		-	Notwithstanding the provisions of An Act Authorizing the sale of certain real estate in the
73		-	District of Columbia no longer required for public purposes, approved August 5, 1939 (53 Stat.
74		-	1211; D.C. Official Code § 10- 801 et seq.), and any other law, the Mayor may grant easements
75		-	over Lot 47 in Square 455 and/or Lot 884 in Square 454 to the owner of property located in
76		-	Square 454 or 455, to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, to the lessee of Lot
77		-	47 in Square 455, or to such other persons as the Mayor determines appropriate to effectuate a
78		-	purpose of the Development and Financing Agreement approved pursuant to section 2(a)(1), the
79		-	Amended and Restated Lease approved pursuant to section 2(a)(2) , or the Purchase and Sale
80		-	Agreement approved pursuant to section 2(a)(3).
81		-
82		-	Sec. 4. Airspace lease for the downtown arena; exemption from taxation.
83		-	(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of the District of Columbia Public Space Rental Act,
84		-	approved October 17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1156; D.C. Official Code § 10 -1101.01 et seq. ), sections
85		-	4(2) (but only to the extent shown on plans the Mayor has approved pursuant to the Development
86		-	and Financing Agreement), (3), (4), (5), and (6), 5(1), (2), (3) (but only to the extent the Mayor
87		-	has otherwise approved plans pursuant to the Development and Financing Agreement), (4), and
88		-	(5) (but only with respect to the requiremen t to submit a scale model), 7 (but only with respect to
89		-	zoning laws and regulations), and 10 of the District of Columbia Public Space Utilization Act, ENROLLED ORIGINAL
90		-
91		-
92		-
	2	+	________________________ 1
	3	+	Chairman Phil Mendelson 2
93	4		3
94		-
95		-	approved October 17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1166; D.C. Official Code §§ 10 -1121.03(2), (3), (4), (5),
96		-	and (6), 10- 1121.04(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), 10-1121.06, and 10- 1121.09), and any other law, the
97		-	Mayor may lease the airspace adjacent to Lot 47 in Square 455 and Lot 884 in Square 454, to DC
98		-	Arena L.P., or its designee, on such terms as the Mayor deems appropriate, at no other rent or
99		-	fee, for so long as the Amended and Restated Lease approved pursuant to section 2(a)(2), as may
100		-	be amended from time to time, remains in effect ; provided, that if construction within such
101		-	airspace is not subject to the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission pursuant to
102		-	section 5 of An Act providing for a comprehensive development of the park and playground
103		-	system of the National Capital, approved July 19, 1952 (66 Stat. 787; D.C. Official Code § 2 -
104		-	1004), then, notwithstanding the foregoing, section 5(2) and, in its entirety, section 7 of the
105		-	District of Columbia Public Space Utilization Act, approved October 17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1167;
106		-	D.C. Official Code §§ 10 -1121.04(2) and 10- 1121.06) , shall apply to a lease entered into by the
107		-	Mayor under this subsection.
108		-	(b) Section 8 of the District of Columbia Public Space Utilization Ac t, approved Oct ober
109		-	17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1167; D.C. Official Code § 10 -1121.07), is amended as follows:
110		-	(1) Paragraph (1) is amended by striking the phrase “; or” and inserting a
111		-	semicolon in its place.
112		-	(2) Paragraph (2) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the
113		-	phrase “; or” in its place.
114		-	(3) A new paragraph (3) is added to read as follows:
115		-	“(3) Leased pursuant to section 4(a) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization
116		-	Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025
117		-	(Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146).”.
118		-
119		-	Sec. 5. Continued exemption of the downtown arena from real property and possessory
120		-	interest taxes; downtown arena deed transfer and recordation tax exemptions for transfers with
121		-	the District government.
122		-	(a) Section 47-1002 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows:
123		-	(1) Paragraph (32)(B) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a
124		-	semicolon in its place.
125		-	(2) Paragraph (33)(C)(iii) is amended by striking the period and inserting the
126		-	phrase “; and” in its place.
127		-	(3) New paragraphs (34) and (35) are added to read as follows:
128		-	“(34) The real property (and any improvements thereon) described as Lot 47 in
129		-	Square 455 so long as the Land Disposition Agreement—Ground Lease, by and among t he
130		-	District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, t he District of Columbia, and DC Arena,
131		-	L.P., dated as of December 29, 1995, and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds on January 5,
132		-	1996, as instrument number 9600001285, as may be amended from time to time, remains in
133		-	effect; and ENROLLED ORIGINAL
134		-
135		-
136		-
137	5		4
138		-
139		-	“(35) The real property (and any improvements thereon) described as Lot 47 in
140		-	Square 455 and Lot 884 in Square 454 (and any adjacent air space leased pursuant section 4(a) of
141		-	the Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025, passed on
142		-	emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146)), so long as the lease for
143		-	such real property approved by section 2(a)(2) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization
144		-	Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025
145		-	(Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146), as may be amended from time to time, remains in effect .”.
146		-	(b) Section 47- 1005.01 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by adding a
147		-	new subsection (c-2) to read as follows:
148		-	“(c-2) This section shall not apply to the real property (and any improvements thereon)
149		-	described as Lot 47 in Square 455 so long as the Land Disposition Agreement —Ground Lease,
150		-	by and among t he District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, t he District of Columbia,
151		-	and DC Arena, L.P., dated as of December 29, 1995, and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds on
152		-	January 5, 1996, as instrument number 9600001285, as may be amended from time to time, nor
153		-	shall it apply to the real property (and any improvements thereon) described as Lot 47 in Square
154		-	455 or Lot 884 in Square 454 (or to any adjacent air space leased pursuant section 4(a) of the
155		-	Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025, passed on
156		-	emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146)) so long as the lease
157		-	approved by section 2(a) (2) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review
158		-	Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill
159		-	26-146), as may be amended from time to time, remains in effect .”.
160		-	(c) Section 47-902 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by adding a new
161		-	paragraph (29) to read as follows:
162		-	“(29) Transfers with respect to the real property (and any improvements thereon)
163		-	described as Lot 47 in Square 455 and Lot 884 in Square 454 (and any adjacent air space leased
164		-	pursuant section 4(a) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency
165		-	Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146)), to
166		-	the extent such transfer is a transfer between the District and DC Arena L.P. , or its designee,
167		-	pursuant to the lease or purchase and sale agreement approved by section 2(a) of the Downtown
168		-	Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis
169		-	on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill 26 -146), as may be amended from time to time, or a
170		-	lease authorized by section 4(a) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review
171		-	Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill
172		-	26-146).”.
173		-	(d) Section 302 of the District of Columbia Deed Recordation Tax Act, approved March
174		-	2, 1962 (76 Stat. 11; D.C. Official Code 42 -1102), is amended as follows:
175		-	(1) Paragraph (35) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a
176		-	semicolon in its place. ENROLLED ORIGINAL
177		-
178		-
179		-
180	6		5
181		-
182		-	(2) Paragraph (36)(B) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase
183		-	“; and” in its place.
184		-	(3) A new paragraph (37) is added to read as follows:
185		-	“(37) Deeds with respect to the real property (and any improvements thereon)
186		-	described as Lot 47 in Square 455 or Lot 884 in Square 454 (and any adjacent air space leased
187		-	pursuant section 4(a) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency
188		-	Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146)), to
189		-	the extent such deed conveys an interest between the District and DC Arena L.P. , or its designee,
190		-	pursuant to the lease or purchase and sale agreement approved by section 2(a) of the Downtown
191		-	Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis
192		-	on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 146), as may be amended from time to time, or a
193		-	lease authorized by section 4(a) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review
194		-	Emergency Act of 2025, passed on emergency basis on March 4, 2025 (Enrolled version of Bill
195		-	26-146).”.
196		-	(e)(1) Section 3 of the Arena Tax Amendment Act of 1994, effective September 28, 1994
197		-	(D.C. Law 10- 189; D.C. Official Code §§ 47-1005, 47- 1007, 47- 1009, notes), is repealed.
198		-	(2) This subsection shall apply as of the effective date of the Downtown Arena
199		-	Revitalization Emergency Act of 2024, effective December 17, 2024 (D.C. Act 25- 653; 71 DCR
200		-	15803).
201		-
202		-	Sec. 6. Authority to amend signage regulations.
203		-	Section N 101.19.16 of Title 12A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (12-
204		-	A DCMR § N101.19.16) is amended by striking the phrase “, upon review and active approval
205		-	by the Council” and inserting the phrase “. The amendments to the rules may include, but need
206		-	not be limited to, provisions authoriz ing additional outdoor signs, visuals, digital displays, and
207		-	static canvas displays placed on the Verizon Center. Rules proposed to be issued under this
208		-	section shall be submitted to the Council for a 45- day period of review . If the Council does not
209		-	approve or disapprove the proposed rules, by resolution, within the 45- day period, the rules shall
210		-	be deemed approved.” in its place.
211		-
212		-	Sec. 7. Fiscal impact statement.
213		-	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report for the Downtown
214		-	Arena Revitalization Act of 2024, enacted on February 3, 2025 (D.C. Act 25- 718; 72 DCR
215		-	1109), as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative
216		-	Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-
217		-	301.47a).
218		-
219		-
220		-	ENROLLED ORIGINAL
221		-
222		-
223		-
224		-	6
225		-
226		-	Sec. 8. Effective date.
227		-	This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
228		-	Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than
229		-	90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section
230		-	412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788;
231		-	D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).
232		-
233		-
234		-
235		-
236		-
237		-	___________________________________
238		-	Chairman
239		-	Council of the District of Columbia
240		-
241		-
242		-
243		-
244		-
245		-	_________________________________
246		-	Mayor
247		-	District of Columbia
248		-
249		-
	7	+	A BILL 6
	8	+	7
	9	+	______ 8
	10	+	9
	11	+	IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10
	12	+	11
	13	+	____________ 12
	14	+	13
	15	+	14
	16	+	To, on an emergency basis, due to congressional review, approve the development and financing 15
	17	+	agreement for the redevelopment of the downtown arena; approve an agreement for the 16
	18	+	disposition by lease of certain real property owned by the District government for the 17
	19	+	redevelopment and operation of the downtown arena; approve a purchase and sale 18
	20	+	agreement for the downtown arena; authorize the granting of certain easements related to 19
	21	+	the downtown arena property; authorize airspace leases associated with the downtown 20
	22	+	arena; continue and provide for property tax abatements and deed transfer and 21
	23	+	recordation tax exemptions for the downtown arena; and authorize the issuance of rules 22
	24	+	to provide for additional signage on the downtown arena. 23
	25	+	24
	26	+	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 25
	27	+	act may be cited as the “Downtown Arena Revitalization Congressional Review Emergency Act 26
	28	+	of 2025”. 27
	29	+	Sec. 2. Approval of development and financing agreement, amended and restated lease, 28
	30	+	and purchase and sale agreement for the downtown arena. 29
	31	+	(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Procurement Practices Reform Act of 2010, 30
	32	+	effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-371; D.C. Official Code § 2-351.01 et seq.), An Act 31
	33	+	Authorizing the sale of certain real estate in the District of Columbia no longer required for 32
	34	+	public purposes, approved August 5, 1939 (53 Stat. 1211; D.C. Official Code § 10-801 et seq.), 33
	35	+	the Verizon Center Sales Tax Revenue Bond Approval Act of 2007, effective July 12, 2007 34
	36	+	(D.C. Law 17-12; 54 DCR 5151), the Public-Private Partnership Act of 2014, effective March 35 2
	37	+	11, 2015 (D.C. Law 20-228; D.C. Official Code § 2-271.01 et seq.), and any other law, and, as 36
	38	+	applicable, pursuant to section 451 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved 37
	39	+	December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 803; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.51), the Council approves and the 38
	40	+	Mayor may enter into and effectuate the provisions of the: 39
	41	+	(1) Development and Financing Agreement between District of Columbia and DC 40
	42	+	Arena L.P., regarding the downtown arena (“Development and Financing Agreement”), 41
	43	+	submitted by the Mayor to the Council on October 18, 2024; 42
	44	+	(2) Amended and Restated Lease by and between the District of Columbia and 43
	45	+	DC Arena L.P., regarding the downtown arena (“Amended and Restated Lease”), submitted by 44
	46	+	the Mayor to the Council on October 18, 2024; and 45
	47	+	(3) Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Real Property (Improvements Only) 46
	48	+	between District of Columbia and DC Arena L.P., regarding the downtown arena (“Purchase and 47
	49	+	Sale Agreement”), submitted by the Mayor to the Council on October 18, 2024. 48
	50	+	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Mayor may take such actions as are 49
	51	+	appropriate to implement the Development and Financing Agreement, Amended and Restated 50
	52	+	Lease, and Purchase and Sale Agreement. 51
	53	+	(c) Notwithstanding the lead-in text of subsection (a) of this section and the dollar value 52
	54	+	of government assistance received pursuant to the Development and Financing Agreement, the 53
	55	+	following statutory provisions shall apply to the Development and Financing Agreement: 54
	56	+	(1) Sections 2, 4(a), (b), (c), (e)(1), (1C), (2), (3), (4), and (5), and 4a of the First 55
	57	+	Source Employment Agreement Act of 1984 (“First Source Act”), effective June 29, 1984 (D.C. 56
	58	+	Law 5-93; D.C. Official Code §§ 2-219.01, 2-219.03(a), (b), (c), (e)(1), (1C), (2), (3), (4), and 57
	59	+	(5), and 2-219.03a); and 58 3
	60	+	(2) Section 5 of the Amendments to An Act To Provide for Voluntary 59
	61	+	Apprenticeship in the District of Columbia Act of 1978, effective March 6, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-60
	62	+	156; D.C. Official Code § 32-1431). 61
	63	+	Sec. 3. Authority to grant easements over the downtown arena property. 62
	64	+	Notwithstanding the provisions of An Act Authorizing the sale of certain real estate in the 63
	65	+	District of Columbia no longer required for public purposes, approved August 5, 1939 (53 Stat. 64
	66	+	1211; D.C. Official Code § 10-801 et seq.), and any other law, the Mayor may grant easements 65
	67	+	over Lot 47 in Square 455 and/or Lot 884 in Square 454 to the owner of property located in 66
	68	+	Square 454 or 455, to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, to the lessee of Lot 67
	69	+	47 in Square 455, or to such other persons as the Mayor determines appropriate to effectuate a 68
	70	+	purpose of the Development and Financing Agreement, Amended and Restated Lease, or 69
	71	+	Purchase and Sale Agreement. 70
	72	+	Sec. 4. Airspace lease for the downtown arena; exemption from taxation. 71
	73	+	(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of the District of Columbia Public Space Rental Act, 72
	74	+	approved October 17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1156; D.C. Official Code § 10-1101.01 et seq.), sections 73
	75	+	4(2) (but only to the extent shown on plans the Mayor has approved pursuant to the Development 74
	76	+	and Financing Agreement), (3), (4), (5), and (6), 5(1), (2), (3) (but only to the extent the Mayor 75
	77	+	has otherwise approved plans pursuant to the Development and Financing Agreement), (4), and 76
	78	+	(5) (but only with respect to the requirement to submit a scale model), 7 (but only with respect to 77
	79	+	zoning laws and regulations), and 10 of the District of Columbia Public Space Utilization Act, 78
	80	+	approved October 17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1166; D.C. Code §§ 10-1121.03(2) (but only to the extent 79
	81	+	shown on plans the Mayor has approved pursuant to the Development and Financing 80
	82	+	Agreement), (3), (4), (5), and (6), 10-1121.04(1), (2), (3) (but only to the extent the Mayor has 81 4
	83	+	otherwise approved plans pursuant to the Development and Financing Agreement), (4) and (5) 82
	84	+	(but only with respect to the requirement to submit a scale model), 10-1121.06 (but only with 83
	85	+	respect to zoning laws and regulations), and 10-1121.09), and any other law, the Mayor may 84
	86	+	lease the airspace adjacent to Lot 47 in Square 455 and Lot 884 in Square 454, to DC Arena L.P., 85
	87	+	or its designee, on such terms as the Mayor deems appropriate, at no other rent or fee, for so long 86
	88	+	as the lease for the real property approved by section 2(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena 87
	89	+	Revitalization Act of 2024, as may be amended from time to time, remains in effect; provided, 88
	90	+	that if construction within such airspace is not subject to the approval of the National Capital 89
	91	+	Planning Commission pursuant to section 5 of An Act providing for a comprehensive 90
	92	+	development of the park and playground system of the National Capital, approved July 19, 1952 91
	93	+	(66 Stat. 781; D.C. Official Code § 2-1004), then, notwithstanding the foregoing, section 5(2) 92
	94	+	and, in its entirety, section 7 of the District of Columbia Public Space Utilization Act, approved 93
	95	+	October 17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1166; D.C. Code §§ 10-1121.04(2) and 10-1121.06), shall apply to a 94
	96	+	lease entered into by the Mayor under this subsection. 95
	97	+	(b) Section 8 of the District of Columbia Public Space Utilization Act, effective October 96
	98	+	17, 1968 (82 Stat. 1167; D.C. Official Code § 10-1121.07), is amended as follows: 97
	99	+	(1) Paragraph (1) is amended by striking the phrase “; or” and inserting a 98
	100	+	semicolon in its place. 99
	101	+	(2) Paragraph (2) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the 100
	102	+	phrase “; or” in its place. 101
	103	+	(3) A new paragraph (3) is added to read as follows: 102
	104	+	“(3) Leased pursuant to section 4(a) of the Downtown Arena Revitalization Act of 103
	105	+	2024.”. 104 5
	106	+	Sec. 5. Continued exemption of the downtown arena from real property and possessory 105
	107	+	interest taxes; downtown arena deed transfer and recordation tax exemptions for transfers with 106
	108	+	the District government. 107
	109	+	(a) Section 47-1002 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows: 108
	110	+	(1) Paragraph (32)(B) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a 109
	111	+	semicolon in its place. 110
	112	+	(2) Paragraph (33)(C)(iii) is amended by striking the period at the end and 111
	113	+	inserting the phrase “; and” in its place. 112
	114	+	(3) New paragraphs (34) and (35) are added to read as follows: 113
	115	+	“(34) The real property (and any improvements thereon) described as Lot 47 in 114
	116	+	Square 455 so long as the Land Disposition Agreement—Ground Lease, by and among the 115
	117	+	District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, the District of Columbia, and DC Arena, 116
	118	+	L.P., dated as of December 29, 1995, and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds on January 5, 117
	119	+	1996, as instrument number 9600001285, as may be amended from time to time, remains in 118
	120	+	effect; and 119
	121	+	“(35) The real property (and any improvements thereon) described as Lot 47 in 120
	122	+	Square 455 and Lot 884 in Square 454 (and any adjacent air space leased pursuant section 4(a) of 121
	123	+	the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024), so long as the lease for such real 122
	124	+	property approved by section 2(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024, as 123
	125	+	may be amended from time to time, remains in effect.”. 124
	126	+	(b) Section 47-1005.01 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by adding a 125
	127	+	new subsection (c-2) to read as follows: 126 6
	128	+	“(c-2) This section shall not apply to the real property (and any improvements thereon) 127
	129	+	described as Lot 47 in Square 455 so long as the Land Disposition Agreement—Ground Lease, 128
	130	+	by and among the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, the District of Columbia, 129
	131	+	and DC Arena, L.P., dated as of December 29, 1995, and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds 130
	132	+	on January 5, 1996, as instrument number 9600001285, as may be amended from time to time, 131
	133	+	nor shall it apply to the real property (and any improvements thereon) described as Lot 47 in 132
	134	+	Square 455 or Lot 884 in Square 454 (or to any adjacent air space leased pursuant section 4(a) of 133
	135	+	the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024) so long as the lease approved by section 134
	136	+	2(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024, as may be amended from time to 135
	137	+	time, remains in effect.”. 136
	138	+	(c) Section 47-902 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by adding a new 137
	139	+	paragraph (29) to read as follows: 138
	140	+	“(29) Transfers with respect to the real property (and any improvements thereon) 139
	141	+	described as Lot 47 in Square 455 and Lot 884 in Square 454 (and any adjacent air space leased 140
	142	+	pursuant section 4(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024), to the extent 141
	143	+	such transfer is a transfer between the District and DC Arena L.P., or its designee, pursuant to 142
	144	+	the lease or purchase and sale agreement approved by sections 2(a) of the Downtown Sports 143
	145	+	Arena Revitalization Act of 2024, as may be amended from time to time, or a lease authorized by 144
	146	+	section 4(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024.”. 145
	147	+	(d) Section 302 of the District of Columbia Deed Recordation Tax Act, approved March 146
	148	+	2, 1962 (76 Stat. 11; D.C. Official Code 42-1102), is amended as follows: 147
	149	+	(1) Paragraph (35) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a 148
	150	+	semicolon in its place. 149 7
	151	+	(2) Paragraph (36)(B) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting 150
	152	+	the phrase “; and” in its place. 151
	153	+	(3) A new paragraph (37) is added to read as follows: 152
	154	+	“(37) Deed with respect to the real property (and any improvements thereon) 153
	155	+	described as Lot 47 in Square 455 or Lot 884 in Square 454 (and any adjacent air space leased 154
	156	+	pursuant section 4(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024), to the extent 155
	157	+	such deed conveys an interest between the District and DC Arena L.P., or its designee, pursuant 156
	158	+	to the lease or purchase and sale agreement approved by section 2(a) of the Downtown Sports 157
	159	+	Arena Revitalization Act of 2024, as may be amended from time to time, or a lease authorized by 158
	160	+	section 4(a) of the Downtown Sports Arena Revitalization Act of 2024.”. 159
	161	+	(e)(1) Section 3 of the Arena Tax Amendment Act of 1994, effective September 28, 1994 160
	162	+	(D.C. Law 10-189; 41 DCR 5357), as amended by section 30 of the Technical Amendments Act 161
	163	+	of 2006, effective March 2, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-191; 53 DCR 6794), and section 7021 of the 162
	164	+	Verizon Center Recordation Tax Clarification Amendment Act of 2008, effective August 16, 163
	165	+	2008 (D.C. Law 17-219; 55 DCR 7670), is repealed. 164
	166	+	(2) This subsection shall apply as of the effective date of the Downtown Sports 165
	167	+	Arena Modernization and Downtown Revitalization Act of 2024. 166
	168	+	Sec. 6. Authority to amend signage regulations. 167
	169	+	Section 101.19.16 of Appendix N of Title 12A of the District of Columbia Municipal 168
	170	+	Regulations is amended by striking the phrase “, upon review and active approval by the 169
	171	+	Council” and inserting the phrase “. The amendments to the rules may include, but need not be 170
	172	+	limited to, provisions authorizing additional outdoor signs, visuals, digital displays, and static 171
	173	+	canvas displays placed on the Verizon Center. Rules proposed to be issued under this section 172 8
	174	+	shall be submitted to Council for a 45-day period of review. If the Council does not approve or 173
	175	+	disapprove the proposed rules, by resolution, within the 45-day period, the rules shall be deemed 174
	176	+	approved.” in its place. 175
	177	+	Sec. 7. Fiscal impact statement. 176
	178	+	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 177
	179	+	impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 178
	180	+	approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 179
	181	+	Sec. 8. Effective date. 180
	182	+	This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 181
	183	+	Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 182
	184	+	90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 183
	185	+	412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; 184
	186	+	D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)). 185