Changes to service fees, food delivery practices, and Initiative 82’s timeline are all up for a final vote in the D.C. Council on Tuesday.
If passed, the sweeping Restaurant Revitalization bill —which received a unanimous pro-vote last month — could provide relief for struggling restaurants, strengthen the local industry, and have broader implications for diners.
The bill, introduced by Council member Kenyan McDuffie, is months in the works and combines several pieces of legislation that would further regulate food delivery services and tackle other issues related to D.C.’s dining scene.
Much of what’s included is expected to pass and head to a final reading before mayoral and congressional review.
Legislation surrounding two hot-button topics, service fees, and Initiative 82.
Chair Phil Mendelson plans to support a restaurant association-backed amendment that would speed up I-82’s timeline by two years and eliminate the tipped minimum wage by July 2025 — a Band-Aid-ripping measure designed to mitigate diner confusion and financial stress caused by incremental wage increases. It would also benefit tipped workers, who are estimated to receive over $12,000 in additional base wages over the next three years.
