Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                               A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                             25-262

                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                        October 1, 2024

To recognize 40 years since the inauguration of the Department of Employment Services

       (DOES) First Source Program, which is an important part of the District of Columbia’s

       strategy to build local equity and reduce unemployment in the city by ensuring that D.C.

       residents receive priority consideration for new jobs created by local government-assisted

       projects or contracts.

       WHEREAS, First Source ensures that District residents are given priority for new jobs

created by municipal financing and development programs;

       WHEREAS, over the years various amendments were added to strengthen or relax the

requirements;

       WHEREAS, the Workforce Intermediary Establishment and Reform of First Source

Amendment Act of 2011 made substantial changes to the First Source law, including eliminating

contracts under $300,000 from First Source obligations;

        WHEREAS, First Source requires that 51% of all new hires on any government-assisted

project or contract between $300,000 and $500,000 must be District residents;

        WHEREAS, First Source requires that each government-assisted construction project

receiving government assistance totaling $5 million or more must have the following percentage

of District residents on those projects: 20% of journey worker hours, 60% of apprentice hours,

51% of skilled laborer hours, and 70% of common laborer hours;

       WHEREAS, it is the goal of the First Source mandate that contractors either meet these

requirements or fulfill an alternative employment plan;

        WHEREAS, these requirements are intended to promote local hiring for development

projects in the District and that this hiring provides valuable work experience and resume

building opportunities for District residents;

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       WHEREAS, there are many other benefits to contractors that hire local talent, such as

lowering the company’s carbon footprint and building strong ties and relationships with District

workers and residents;

        WHEREAS, establishing connections to local jobs markets can create accessible hiring

avenues with local schools and employment agencies for the District’s unemployed residents that

will strengthen the business and commercial care of the entire community.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “First Source Recognition Resolution of 2024”.

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the importance of respecting

and honoring the First Source mandate which seeks to ensure residents of the District receive

equitable access to opportunities in their communities.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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