Dereje Belay

This document outlines the Fiscal Year 2026 Performance Plan for the Office of the People's Counsel. The plan focuses on key objectives including providing consumer education, outreach, and technical assistance; ensuring effective advocacy for District ratepayers and consumers of natural gas, electric, telephone, and water services; enhancing agency operational efficiency; and fostering efficient, transparent, and responsive government. The strategic direction aims to advocate for safe, reliable, and equitable utility services, support climate change policies, assist consumers with disputes, and improve overall agency productivity and service delivery.

This Performance Plan for the Office of the Inspector General outlines its strategic objectives and activities for Fiscal Year 2026. The plan focuses on preventing and detecting corruption, mismanagement, waste, fraud, and abuse within the District of Columbia government, while promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Key objectives include proactively identifying vulnerabilities, enhancing organizational accountability, delivering actionable services, implementing robust information and knowledge management, developing a highly qualified workforce, and ensuring efficient, transparent, and responsive government operations.

The FY 2026 Performance Plan for the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) outlines objectives and activities aimed at providing high-quality, timely, and reliable forensic science and public health laboratory analysis. Key areas of focus include crime scene evidence collection, forensic science analysis, and public health laboratory diagnostic, analytical, and emergency response testing. The plan also emphasizes administrative support, training, risk management, and compliance with legal mandates. The ultimate goal is to enhance public health and safety through efficient, transparent, and responsive government operations.

The meeting included department updates on staffing and personnel changes, discussions from the DC Flood Task Force and Residential Resiliency Team, and an upcoming oversight hearing. Legislative updates covered the Insurer Corporate Governance Annual Report Act, Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention, Flood Resilience Amendment Act of 2021, and the Stop Discrimination by Algorithms Act of 2021. Emerging P&C Insurance Issues included a Terrorism Working Group Data Call, the requirement for a 'Riot' Definition in SERFF filings, and concerns about the unavailability of commercial auto insurance. Regulatory Updates addressed a new Certified Reinsurer Application Checklist, updates from the Department of For Hire Vehicles (DFHV) & TNC, compliance review of a new Transportation Network Company, and a new URL Directive for P&C SERFF Filings. NAIC Developments/Updates included committee assignments, the Casualty Actuarial and Statistical Auto Report, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report.

The meeting included department updates regarding personnel changes and an upcoming Department Oversight Hearing. Emerging health insurance issues were discussed, focusing on riot language in exclusions/riders and the importance of aligning definitions with DC code, with considerations for peaceful protests. NAIC updates covered committee assignments. Legislative updates addressed the Professional Employer Registration Act and the Stop Discrimination by Algorithms Act, including concerns about DISB's position and regulatory overlap. The Copay Accumulator Amendment Act was also discussed, which pertains to the application of discounts and financial assistance to member's out-of-pocket expenses.