B 26-0774

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3 Councilmember Christina Henderson  Councilmember Doni Crawford
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6A BILL
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10IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To amend Title 25 of the District of Columbia Official Code to cap non-economic damages in
16civil actions for the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and intoxicated persons; and to
17amend The Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation Establishment Act of
181996 to require the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking to conduct a liquor
19liability insurance analysis.
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21BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
22 act may be cited as the “Dram Shop Clarification and Liquor Liability Insurance Amendment
23 Act of 2026”.
24Sec. 2. Section 25-787(a) is amended by adding a new paragraph (3) to read as follows:
25“(3)(A) In any civil action brought pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the total
26 liability for non-economic damages in any such action shall not exceed $500,000.”.
27“(B) Beginning on January 1, 2037, and on January 1st of every 10 years
28 after January 1, 2037, the amount provided in paragraph (1) shall increase by $50,000.”.
29Sec. 3. Section 4 of the Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation Establishment
30 Act of 1996, effective May 21, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-268; D.C. Official Code § 31-103), is
31 amended by adding a new subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
32“(a-1) Within 180 days after the effective date of the Dram Shop Clarification and Liquor
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33 Liability Insurance Amendment Act of 2026, introduced on July 14, 2026 (introduced version of
34 B26- ___), the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (“Department”) shall conduct
35 an analysis determining whether requiring minimum liquor liability insurance coverage would
36 decrease existing liquor liability insurance premiums for nightlife establishments in the District.
37 In conducting the analysis, the Department shall include a comparison of how other states’
38 minimum liquor liability insurance coverage impacts liquor liability insurance premiums and any
39 other relevant issues the Department identifies.”.
40Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
41The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
42 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,
43 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
44Sec. 5. Effective date.
45This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
46 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review
47 as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
48 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).
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