D.C. Code § 50-301.20: Public Vehicles-for-Hire Consumer Service Fund.

(a)

There is established as a special fund the Public Vehicles-for-Hire Consumer Service Fund ("Fund"), which shall be administered by DFHV in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. The Fund shall consist of the following:

(1)

Funds collected from a passenger surcharge; except, that for Fiscal Years 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, 50% of funds collected from the passenger surcharge shall instead be deposited into the unrestricted fund balance of the General Fund of the District of Columbia;

(2)

Funds collected by the DFHV from the issuance and renewal of a public vehicle-for-hire license pursuant to § 47-2829, including those held in miscellaneous trust funds by the DFHV and the Office of the People’s Counsel before June 23, 1987, pursuant to § 34-912(a). These funds shall be accounted for under procedures established pursuant to subchapter V of Chapter 3 of Title 47, or any other applicable law;

(3)

Funds collected by the DFHV from the Department of Motor Vehicles through the Out-Of-State Vehicle Registration Special Fund, pursuant to § 50-1501.03a;

(4)

Repealed.

(4A)

Such assessment as may levied by DFHV on taxicab and public vehicle-for-hire operators, for the purpose of providing funds for the authorized uses of the Fund;

(5)

All funds collected by the DFHV pursuant to § 50-301.07(c)(20); and

(6)

16.67% of the funds collected pursuant to § 50-301.31(b)(11).

(b)

(1)

The funds deposited into the Fund and allocated to the DFHV:

(A)

Shall be used to pay the costs incurred by the DFHV, including operating and administering programs, investigations, proceedings, and inspections, administering the Fund, and improving the District’s vehicles-for-hire industry.

(B)

May be used to provide grants, loans, incentives, or other financial assistance to owners and operators of vehicles-for-hire legally operating and incorporated in the District to offset the cost of acquiring, maintaining, and operating wheelchair-accessible vehicles;

(C)

May be used to establish a program to provide a taxicab fare discount for low-income senior citizens aged 65 years and older and persons with disabilities; and

(D)

May be used to provide grants, loans, incentives, or other financial assistance to owners and operators of vehicles-for-hire legally operating and incorporated in the District to incentivize the purchase and use of alternative-fuel vehicles, directing vehicles-for-hire to underserved areas, and to offset costs associated with meeting the mandates of this subchapter, as established by rulemaking.

(2)

Repealed.

(3)

Nothing in this subsection shall affect any requirements imposed upon the DFHV by subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 [§ 2-501 et seq.].

(c)

Repealed.

(d)

Repealed.

(e)

Repealed.

(f)

Repealed.

(g)

Procedures for the implementation and administration of a passenger surcharge amount shall be established by the DFHV in accordance with its rulemaking authority.

(h)

Any money remaining available in the Fund at the end of a fiscal year, as determined by the Chief Financial Officer in the fiscal year-end close, shall be transferred to the unassigned fund balance of the General Fund of the District of Columbia as part of the fiscal year-end close.

(i)

The DFHV shall conduct a mandatory yearly review of the passenger surcharge amount and shall adjust the surcharge amount based on revenue over needed spending.

(j)

Repealed.

(k)

Repealed.