Subject

Committee

Reviewing and reporting out Bill 1-40 (District of Columbia
Rental Accommodation Act of 1975)

This will advise you that I have called a special meeting of the
Housing and Urban Development Committee for Thursday, May
15, 1975 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 22 for the purpose of reviewing
and reporting out Bill 1-40 (District of Columbia Rental Accommodation
Act of 1975). The Committee will also consider at that time

written amendments to be submitted to the Committec by 12:00 Noon, Wednesday May 14th, pursuant to the ruling of the Chairman in order that the Committee may carefully consider those proposals.

Received are amendments proposed by Councilmembers Clarke,
Dixon, Shackleton, and Hardy. Any and all other amendments
are welcomed.

In a special legislative meeting to be held Tuesday, May 20th
at 10:00 a.m., Bill 1-40 will have its first reading. We urge
all Councilmembers to be present at the special Housing and
Urban Development Committee meeting. We hope that you can
rearrange your schedule for Thursday in order to give as much
attention as possible to this special mark-up session.

Council of the District of Columbia

Memorandum

City Hall, 14th and E Streets, N.W. Fifth Floor 638-2223 or Government Code 137-3806

Subject

Passage of First Reading of Amendment to the Bill 1-40
(Rental Accommodation Act of 1975)

Words cannot adequately express the profound appreciation for
the untiring effort and cooperation of every member of this Council
with regard to the creation and subsequent passage of the rent
control bill as amended yesterday. An air of genuine effort and
commitment has been evident throughout the series of public
hearings, the mark-up sessions and amendment preparation.

I believe, collectively, you have been a credit to your constituents and have honestly attempted to equitably represent the interests of all of them. This has resulted in our reaching a responsible happy medium one crucial issues affecting the housing accommodations of ou city.

During the interim period, while we are awaiting final action on
the legislation, Councilmembers have an urgent responsibility
to continue providing the support necessary to implement the
impending legislation.

The present Housing Rent Commission has been mandated by the
D. C. Court to develop a formula for the reasonable rate of return
to be used in the decision of two cases presently before the
Commission. According to Mr. Archie Morris, the decision of the
Commission.will be employed for the first time in a Commission
Hearing on Thursday, May 22, 1975 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 201. Your
attendance at this session would be quite helpful in experiencing
how the rate of return concept may be employed. It is also incum-
bent upon the full Council to assist in identifying competent persons
to be nominated to fill seats on the new Housing Rent Commission
which is to be established. Moreover, the legislative and execu-
tive branches have authorized a budget of $669,000 and we have
agreed that the Rent Administrator should be at least a Grade GS-15.
The Council also has a responsibility to assist in identifying key
staff personnel for the Housing Rent Commission. May I suggest

'J-3172-75