D.C. Law 25-320. Restoration of Covenanted Roads and Alleys by the District Government Act of 2024.
AN ACT
To authorize the Mayor to repair and restore certain covenanted roads in the District of Columbia with or without the consent of the property owner; to authorize the Mayor to obtain appropriate releases and indemnification from adjacent property owners; and to authorize the Mayor to recover expenses from private property owners on behalf of the District.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Restoration of Covenanted Roads and Alleys by the District Government Act of 2024."
Sec. 2. Restoration of certain private roads, alleys, and rights of way by the District.
(a) The Mayor may repair or restore a privately owned road, alley, or other right of way ("private right of way") described in subsection (b) of this section to such condition as the Mayor deems appropriate for the passage of motor vehicles owned or operated by the District government, and the Mayor may enter such private right of way for the purpose of such repair or restoration with or without the consent of the owner of the property.
(b) The private right of way referred to in subsection (a) of this section is private property that meets each of the following conditions:
(1) The owner has covenanted to the District that the private property shall be subject to an easement and right of way for the passing of motor vehicles by others, or has otherwise provided such an easement and right of way;
(2) The District government uses, or in the event of emergency, would likely use, the private right of way for the passage of District government motor vehicles;
(3) The private right of way is not in a state of good repair, as determined by the Mayor, for the passing of motor vehicles by the District government; and
(4) The Mayor, after reasonable effort, has been unable to locate the owner of the private property.
(c) Before repairing or restoring a private right of way under this section, the Mayor shall attempt to:
(1) Obtain from each owner of private property adjacent to the private right of way, and each owner of property likely to be impacted by the repair or restoration of the private right of way, a release of liability and indemnification related to the repair or restoration; and
(2) Obtain such other releases and indemnifications, and impose such other conditions as the Mayor deems appropriate.
(d)(1) If the covenant referred to in subsection (b)(1) of this section requires the owner of the private right of way to maintain the private right of way in a condition suitable for the passage of motor vehicles, the Mayor may recover from the owner of the private right of way the cost and expenses incurred by the District under this section for the repair and restoration of the private right of way. The amount to be recovered from the owner shall be a continuing and perpetual lien under section 8(f) of the Litter Control Administration Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-100; D.C. Official Code § 8-807(f)) ("Litter Control Act"), and may be enforced in the same manner as provided in section 8(f) of the Litter Control Act.
(2) For good cause shown, the Mayor may abate the amount of the recovery or lien imposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection and any charges, expenses, penalties, and interest accruing under section 8(f) of the Litter Control Act.
Sec. 3. 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. 4. 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) and 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)).
