The Strengthening Air Pollution Permitting Amendment Act of 2026 seeks to improve the air pollution permitting process in the District of Columbia by addressing existing deficiencies. Key provisions of the bill require the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) to process air quality permits within six months and respond to air quality complaints within seven days. The legislation introduces stricter permit requirements, including pollutant limits, community engagement measures, and emergency operational limits during poor air quality days. It also empowers Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to negotiate agreements with facilities to address local impacts, enhancing community involvement in the permitting process.

In addition to these measures, the bill establishes new enforcement mechanisms, such as disqualifying permit holders from receiving District contracts after two violations within a year. It revises the criteria for nuisance complaints to focus on their effects on residents and public spaces, while also improving public access to information through a dashboard for tracking complaints and permit applications. The legislation allows for the use of the Air Quality Construction Permits Fund for environmental remediation in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. Furthermore, it includes a provision for a fiscal impact statement aligned with the committee report and outlines the effective date of the act, which will take effect after approval by the Mayor or following a Council override of a veto, along with a 30-day congressional review period.