Initiative Measure 86
Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026
Source review availableSee exactly what was checked
The fields listed below were checked against the linked sources on October 21, 2026. Future outcomes, final contract awards and individual tax bills are not established by this review.
Checked: Title, Summary, Yes vote, No vote, Beneficiaries, Fiscal estimate, Tradeoffs, Named organizations.
Unknown: Final outcomes, future contract awards and your individual tax bill are not established by a ballot authorization.
Prohibits force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers and restricts commercial sale, distribution and importation of fattened-bird-liver products, including foie gras. Gives the Department of Energy and Environment enforcement authority and establishes civil penalties. The stated application date is July 1, 2027, with fiscally consequential provisions dependent on an approved budget.
Who benefits or is affected
The measure’s stated purpose is to prohibit force-feeding birds and covered liver products. DOEE receives enforcement responsibilities; the CFO identifies staffing and education costs. Food-service and retail sellers of covered products are regulated. No private recipient is selected for an implementation award, and future business or animal-welfare outcomes are unknown.
Costs and tradeoffs
The final CFO statement estimates $314,000 over FY2026–2029: $274,000 for one additional inspector and $40,000 for education. Annual totals are $0, $109,000, $101,000 and $104,000. The CFO found those costs unbudgeted at the time of its January 21, 2026 review. There is no dedicated household tax, and no verified updated appropriation was established in this review.
The operative definition covers products made from bird livers fattened by any method. The text does not establish a categorical exemption for non-force-fed foie gras.
DOEE can subpoena relevant records and must maintain a public violations database. Civil penalties range from $1,000 to $5,000 for each violation, with continuing days counted separately; repeated violations can affect a business license.
The stated application date is July 1, 2027. Provisions with fiscal effects apply later if necessary to await an approved budget and financial plan.
The CFO estimates an additional inspector and education spending. Later funding, actual enforcement costs and effects on particular businesses remain unknown.
Organizations named in the records
District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
Enforcement agency, not a private beneficiaryWould inspect and investigate, issue violations and administer the law. The CFO identifies added staff and education costs.
District Department of Health
Agency coordinating referralsThe CFO expects referrals of potential violations to DOEE; it is not identified as receiving a private grant.
Pro-Animal DC
Campaign committee supporting Initiative 86Identifies itself as the campaign behind the measure. A policy victory does not establish a right to receive the implementation budget.
Food-service and retail establishments selling covered products
Regulated businessesMust adjust affected menus or product offerings if the law becomes applicable. No specific restaurant closure or profit loss is established by the official fiscal statement.
A named public institution, administrator or eligible applicant is not automatically a contract awardee. Future private awards are unknown unless a source identifies an executed award.
Published party positions
Democratic Party
Unknown — no verified statement is recorded for this question.
Republican Party
Unknown — no verified statement is recorded for this question.
A position applies to the named organization, not every party member. Missing evidence does not establish neutrality. We do not infer a party’s position from its ideology or a legislator’s vote.