It was nearly identical to Initiative 77, a ballot measure in the 2018 primary election that was approved by D.C. voters but later overturned by the D.C. Council before it could enter into force.

[1] Initiative 82 passed its 30-day legislative review period and became law on February 23, 2023,[2] however on January 17, 2023, the DC Council voted to delay the first pay increase until May 1, 2023.

[4] On Thursday, August 26, 2021, the DC Board of Elections conducted their "subject matter" hearing and voted that the Initiative could go forward and begin the ballot access phase.

[11] The opponents ultimately lost their original lawsuit and appeals in early September, 2022, allowing the Initiative to appear on the general election ballot.

[19] The largest contributions to the campaign were from Open Society Policy Center,[20] Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps,[21] and Mintwood Strategies.

[20] The campaign committee against the initiative was called No to 82 and was run out of the K Street office of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.