California Bill to Establish Tenants’ Rights Office Fails to Advance

A bill that would have created a state-level Office of Tenants’ Rights and Protections in California failed to advance from the Assembly Appropriations Committee, halting its progress for the year, the California Apartment Association said. CAA had opposed the bill, citing existing tenant protections and the state’s financial constraints.  Assemblymen Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) and Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) introduced the measure as AB 2187 in February.

”AB 2187 will come at a large cost to the state at a time when California struggles to address its current finances,” CAA wrote in a letter opposing the measure. “There are tenant organizations that receive donations, grants, and government funding, and they already publish this information. CAA also publishes information about state laws affecting landlords and tenants.” 

CAA highlighted the comprehensive nature of California’s tenant protection measures, which include statewide limits on rent increases, “just cause” eviction policies and anti-discrimination laws. The association questioned the need for a new regulatory body given these existing measures.