Committee holds Bill 9‑26 after DHCA offers technical amendments and committee seeks written language

The committee considered Bill 9‑26, an update to the county's rental housing maintenance standards that would expand the mandate for landlords to provide air conditioning and alter the compliance window.

"This is Bill 9‑26, Rental Housing Maintenance Standards and Essential Services — Air Conditioning," the presenter said, summarizing that the bill would strike the current exemption for detached single‑family homes and move the start of the required cooling season earlier, to May 15 through Sept. 30.

Deputy Director Jenny Snapp and Nathan Movill, chief of community development at DHCA, described technical challenges for multifamily buildings with central plant heating and cooling systems. Movill explained that boilers and chillers require several days to switch from heating to cooling without damaging equipment and recommended treating central‑plant buildings differently: he said DHCA would propose an enforcement approach with a June 1 compliance date for central plant systems while retaining May 15 for units where tenants control thermostats. He also recommended a hardship exemption pathway for units that currently lack AC, allowing up to one year to comply while permitting and electrical upgrades proceed.

Movill said the department's three recommended adjustments "incorporate the spirit" of the sponsor's intent while allowing apartment owners time to implement systems and enabling enforceable inspections. Jenny Snapp emphasized these were suggestions and that DHCA should submit formal amendment language.

Committee members pressed for written amendment language before a vote. One member said it was "really disappointing" not to have formal text available and urged postponement; Councilmember Mervaink said constituents in central‑plant buildings were overheating and asked that the department clarify its position. The chair agreed the department needed to resolve internal communications and work with council staff and the sponsor to produce formal bill language.

Because DHCA did not provide formal amendment text during the session, the committee agreed to hold Bill 9‑26 and reschedule once written language and departmental concurrence are submitted.