District of Columbia Code
Part A - General
§ 1–309.11. Advisory Neighborhood Commissions — Meetings; bylaws governing operation and internal structure; officers; open meetings

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on February 19, 2023. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*
(a) Reserved.
(b)(1) Each Commission shall meet in public session at regular intervals at least 9 times per year at locations that are designed to reasonably accommodate the residents of the Commission area, depending on the issues to be considered by the Commission. The Commission may declare a quorum and take official action if a majority of single-member district Commissioners of the Commission is present, provided that a majority of the single-member districts have Commissioners on the Commission pursuant to § 1-309.06.
(1A) Repealed.
(1B) If the Commission contains the Central Detention Facility and Correctional Treatment Facility:
(A) A Commissioner on that Commission shall be entitled to call a meeting, remotely participate in that meeting, and vote on matters before the Commission, through a teleconference or other electronic means identified by the Commission for this purpose;
(B) Commissioners in the care and custody of the Department of Corrections in the Central Detention Facility or the Correctional Treatment Facility shall be permitted to participate in meetings and vote on matters before the Commission remotely; and
(C) Commissioners on that Commission who are physically or electronically present shall be counted toward the determination of a quorum.
(1C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner may call a meeting and remotely participate in that meeting and vote on matters before the Commission without being physically present through a teleconference or through digital means identified by the Commission for this purpose. Members physically or remotely present shall be counted for determination of a quorum.
(2) To the extent possible, each Commission shall, at its first meeting of the calendar year, adopt a schedule of regular Commission meetings for the remainder of the calendar year. Each Commission shall, at its public meetings, consider and make recommendations on matters before the Commission that may include, but are not limited to, actions or proposed actions of the Council, the Mayor, executive branch agencies, or any independent agency, board, or commission.
(3) Each Commission shall set aside a portion of each public meeting to hear the views of residents within the Commission area and other affected persons on problems or issues of concern within the Commission area and on proposed District government actions that affect the Commission area. Community views shall be adequately considered in positions taken by the Commission. Each Commission shall establish mechanisms to ensure the broadest dissemination of information with respect to Commission meetings, positions, and actions.
(c) Each Commission shall give notice of all meetings or convocations to each Commissioner and residents of the Commission area no less than 7 days prior to the date of such meeting. Shorter notice may be given in the case of an emergency or for other good cause articulated in the notice. Notice of regular and emergency meetings must include, but is not limited to, at least 2 of the following:
(1) Posting written notices in at least 4 conspicuous places in each single-member district within the Commission area;
(2) Publication in a city or community newspaper;
(3) Transmitting or distributing notice to a list of residents and other stakeholders in the community; and
(4) In any other manner approved by the Commission.
(c-1)(1) No fewer than 7 calendar days before any regular monthly public Commission meeting, the Commission shall:
(A) Publish a draft agenda for the meeting via each website the Commission maintains; and
(B) Transmit the draft agenda electronically to the OANC.
(2) The Commission shall retain the right to modify the draft agenda for a public meeting as necessary following publication of the draft agenda; provided, that the Commission shall only discuss or take official action upon an item added to a draft agenda after initial publication pursuant to this subsection upon official approval of the addition of the item to the agenda by the Commission.
(c-2) Any individual or entity whose property or business may be the subject of discussion or official action by a Commission may notify the Commission in writing that the individual or entity wishes to be directly contacted upon the placement of the property or business on a published draft agenda, and of the preferred method of contact. Any Commission so notified shall make a good-faith attempt to contact the notifying individual or entity in a timely manner, using the preferred method of contact specified, upon adding to a published draft agenda any matter directly pertaining to the property or business of the individual or entity.
(d) Each Commission shall establish bylaws governing its operation and internal structure.
(1) These bylaws shall include the following:
(A) The geographic boundaries of the Commission area;
(B) A statement of Commission responsibilities;
(C) Voting procedures;
(D) The establishment of standing and special committees, including provisions for giving public notice of all committee meetings;
(E) The manner of selection of chairpersons and other officers;
(F) Presiding officers;
(G) Procedures for prompt review and action on committee recommendations;
(H) The use of the Commission office and supplies;
(I) Procedures for receipt of, and action upon constituent recommendations at both the single-member district and Commission levels;
(J) Pursuant to § 1-309.13(c), the procedures for the filling of a vacancy in the office of treasurer; and
(K) Transition protocols for officer positions; and
(L) A tiebreaking procedure for Commission officer elections.
(2) Said bylaws shall be consistent with the provisions of this part and other applicable laws and shall be a public document.
(3) An up-to-date copy of each Commission’s bylaws and all amendments thereto shall be filed with the Council and the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions within 30 days of any amendment to the bylaws.
(d-1) No Commission shall be entitled to incorporation, provided that no member of the Commission may be liable for action taken as an elected representative from a single-member district.
(e)(1) Each Commission shall elect from among its members at a public meeting of the Commission held in January of each year, a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each Commission may also elect any other officers that the Commission deems necessary. For each Commission officer election, the Commission shall nominate a non-Commissioner to count ballots for officer positions.
(1A)(A) The Chairperson shall serve as convener of the Commission and shall chair the Commission meetings.
(B) The Vice-Chairperson shall fulfill the obligations of the Chairperson upon the absence, death, incapacitation, or resignation of the Chairperson.
(C) The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate minutes of Commission meetings are kept and that appropriate notice of Commission meetings is provided in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. The Secretary shall ensure that Commission meeting agendas, minutes, and written recommendations for other government entities are electronically transmitted to the OANC upon their completion.
(D) The Treasurer shall ensure that the responsibilities provided for in § 1-309.13 are fulfilled. No individual may serve as both the Chairperson and Treasurer simultaneously for any Commission.
(E) The views or recommendations of each Commission shall be presented only by its officers, Commissioners, or representatives appointed by the Commission at a public meeting to represent the Commission's views on a particular issue or proposed action.
(2)(A) Removal of any officer shall be undertaken at a special Commission meeting.
(B) A special Commission meeting to remove an officer shall be called if at least one-half of the elected Commissioners request in writing that the Chairperson take such action. After the request is made, the Chairperson shall schedule the meeting to take place within 30 days of receipt of the request.
(C) The Chairperson shall preside over the meeting unless the vote will affect the Chairperson’s own position. In that case, the vice-chairperson shall act as the presiding officer.
(D) Provided a quorum is present at the special Commission meeting called pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the vote of a majority of the Commissioners shall remove the officer from his or her office.
(3) Where not otherwise provided, the procedures of the Commission shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
(f) Chairmanship of each Commission committee or task force shall be open to any resident of the Commission area. The chairperson of each such committee or task force shall be appointed by the Commission. Each Commission shall make a good faith effort to involve all segments of the Commission population in its deliberations regardless of race, sex, age, voting status, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
(f-1) Committees and task forces of a Commission shall be advisory only, except that a Commission may officially adopt committee or task force determinations. A Commission shall not delegate official decision-making authority to any committee or task force.
(g) Each Commission, including each committee of a Commission, shall be subject to the open meetings provisions of § 1-207.42. No meeting may be closed to the public unless personnel or legal matters are discussed. Without limiting the scope of § 1-207.42, the following categories of information shall be specifically made available to the public subject to § 2-534:
(1) The names, salaries, title, and dates of employment of all employees of the Commission;
(2) Final decisions of the Commission, including concurring and dissenting opinions;
(3) Information of every kind dealing with the receipt or expenditure of public or other funds by the Commission;
(4) All documents not related to personnel and legal matters;
(5) The minutes of all Commission meetings; and
(6) Reports of the District of Columbia Auditor.
(Oct. 10, 1975, D.C. Law 1-21, § 14; as added Mar. 26, 1976, D.C. Law 1-58, § 2, 22 DCR 5460; Sept. 26, 1984, D.C. Law 5-111, § 2(d), 31 DCR 3952; Mar. 6, 1991, D.C. Law 8-203, § 3(d), 37 DCR 8420; Apr. 29, 1998, D.C. Law 12-91, § 2(b), 45 DCR 1312; Jun. 27, 2000, D.C. Law 13-135, § 3(b), 47 DCR 2741; June 25, 2008, D.C. Law 17-177, § 2(b), 55 DCR 3696; Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-350, § 3, 58 DCR 734; Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-269, § 2(f), 64 DCR 2162; Nov. 21, 2022, D.C. Act 24-656, § 2(c), 0 DCR 0.)
1981 Ed., § 1-262.
1973 Ed., § 1-171j.
This section is referenced in § 1-309.10 and § 2-574.
D.C. Law 13-135 added “open meetings” in the section heading; and rewrote this section, which formerly read:
“(a) Repealed.
“(b) Each Commission shall meet in public session at regular intervals at least 9 times per year at locations that are designed to reasonably accommodate the residents of the Commission area, depending on the issues to be considered by the Commission. A Commission may declare a quorum and take official action if a majority of elected representatives of the Commission is present, provided that a majority of the single-member districts have representatives on the Commission pursuant to § 1-257. To the extent possible, each Commission shall, at its first meeting of the calendar year, adopt a schedule of regular Commission meetings for the remainder of the calendar year. Each Commission shall, at its public meetings, consider and make recommendations on matters before the Commission that may include, but are not limited to, actions or proposed actions of the Council, the Mayor, executive branch agencies, or any independent agency, board, or commission. Each Commission shall set aside a portion of each public meeting to hear the views of residents within the Commission area and other affected persons on problems or issues of concern within the Commission area and on proposed District government actions that affect the Commission area. Community views shall be adequately considered in positions taken by the Commission. Each Commission shall establish mechanisms to ensure the broadest dissemination of information with respect to Commission meetings, positions, and actions.
“(c) Each Commission shall give notice of all meetings or convocations to each Commission member and residents of the Commission area no less than 7 days prior to the date of such meeting. Shorter notice may be given in the case of an emergency or for other good cause. Notice of regular and emergency meetings may be given by:
“(1) Posting written notices in at least 2 conspicuous places in each single-member district within the Commission area;
“(2) Publication in a city or community newspaper;
“(3) Mailing notice to a mailing list; and
“(4) In any other manner directed by the Commission.
“(d) Each Commission shall establish bylaws governing its operation and internal structure.
“(1) These bylaws shall include a statement of Commission responsibilities, voting procedures, the establishment of standing and special committees, the manner of selection of chairpersons and other officers, procedures for prompt review and action on committee recommendations and procedures for receipt of and action upon constituent recommendations at both the single-member district and Commission levels. Said bylaws shall be consistent with the provisions of this act and other applicable laws and shall be a public document.
“(2) An up-to-date copy of each Commission’s bylaws and all amendments thereto shall be filed with the Council of the District of Columbia within 30 days of any amendment to the bylaws. No Commission shall be entitled to incorporation, provided that no member of the Commission may be liable for action taken as an elected representative from a single-member district.
“(e) Each Commission shall elect from among its members at a public meeting of the Commission held in January of each year a Chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer. Each Commission may also elect any other officers the Commission deems necessary. The Chairperson shall serve as convenor of the Commission and shall chair the Commission meetings. The vice-chairperson shall fulfill the obligations of the Chairperson in the Chairperson’s absence. The secretary shall ensure that appropriate minutes of Commission meetings are kept and that appropriate notice of Commission meetings is provided in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. The treasurer shall perform the duties provided for in § 1-264. The views or recommendations of each Commission shall only be presented by its officers, Commissioners, or representatives appointed by the Commission at a public meeting to represent the Commission’s views on a particular issue or proposed action. Where not otherwise provided, the procedures of the Commission shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
“(f) Chairmanship of each Commission committee or task force shall be open to any resident of the Commission area. The chairperson of each such committee or task force shall be appointed by the Commission. Each Commission shall make a good faith effort to involve all segments of the Commission population in its deliberations regardless of race, sex, age, voting status, religious or economic status.
“(g) Each Commission shall be subject to the provisions of § 1-1504(a).”
D.C. Law 17-177, in subsec. (f), substituted “sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression” for “or sexual orientation”.
D.C. Law 18-350, in subsec. (d)(1)(D), substituted “special committees, including provisions for giving public notice of all committee meetings;” for “special committees;”; and, in subsec. (g), substituted “Each Commission, including each committee of a Commission, shall be subject” for “Each Commission shall be subject”.
Applicability of D.C. Law 21-269: § 7145 of D.C. Law 23-16 repealed § 3 of D.C. Law 21-269. Therefore the amendment of this section by D.C. Law 21-269 has been implemented.
Section 7036 of D.C. Law 22-33 amended § 3 of D.C. Law 21-269 to repeal the delayed applicability provision. Therefore the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 21-269 have been given effect.
Applicability of D.C. Law 21-269: § 3 of D.C. Law 21-269 provided that the change made to this section by § 2(f) of D.C. Law 21-269 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(c) of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Pandemic Provisions Extension Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-656, Nov. 21, 2022, 0 DCR 0).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(c)(2) of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Pandemic Provisions Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-316, Feb. 3, 2022, 0 DCR 0).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(jj)(2) of Public Emergency Extension and Eviction and Utility Moratorium Phasing Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-125, July 24, 2021, 68 DCR 007342).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-96, June 7, 2021, 68 DCR 006025).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-30, Mar. 17, 2021, 68 DCR 003101).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-405, Aug. 19, 2020, 67 DCR 10235).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-328, June 8, 2020, 67 DCR 7598).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-326, May 27, 2020, 67 DCR 7045).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 501 of COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-247, Mar. 17, 2020, 67 DCR 3093).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(c) of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Pandemic Provisions Extension Temporary Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-108, Apr. 8, 2022, 69 DCR 001480).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(jj)(2) of Public Emergency Extension and Eviction and Utility Moratorium Phasing Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-39, Oct. 27, 2021, 68 DCR 009487).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-9, June 24, 2021, 68 DCR 004824).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 905(d) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-130, Oct. 9, 2020, 67 DCR 8622).