HB278
Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Jan. 23, 2026
House: Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
Chief Patron:
Nadarius Clark (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty.
Provides that any locality may by ordinance adopt anti-rent gouging provisions. The bill provides for notice and a public hearing prior to the adoption of such ordinance and specifies that all landlords who are under the ordinance may be required to give at least 90 days' written notice of a ... (More) rent increase and cannot increase the rent by more than the locality's calculated allowance, not to exceed three percent, and states that such allowance is effective for a 12-month period beginning July 1 each year. The bill requires the locality to publish such allowance on its website by June 1 of each year. Certain facilities, as outlined in the bill, are exempt from such ordinance. The bill also requires a locality adopting an anti-rent gouging ordinance to establish an anti-rent gouging board to establish rules and procedures by which landlords may apply for and be granted exemptions from the rent increase limits set by the ordinance or delegate such duties and functions to an existing local board, department, or agency. The bill also requires the anti-rent gouging board to establish a fair return on investment rent increase exemption to the annual anti-rent gouging allowance where necessary to offset increased operating expenses. Finally, the bill provides that a locality shall establish a civil penalty for failure to comply with the requirements set out in its ordinance. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/09/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105101D
- 01/09/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 01/21/2026 - House: Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3
- 01/22/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/23/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- 01/23/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/23/2026 - House: Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
