Video & Transcript Research : 'tenants'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 17th, 2026
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions
Transcript Highlights:
- as well as current tenants.
- as well as current tenants.
- stable rents to keep good tenants.
- This tenant flipping not only displaces existing tenants, it hurts communities.
- In Los Angeles, rent-stabilized tenants pay $3,600 less per year than non-stabilized tenants.
Bills:
H5008
Keywords:
rent control, housing stability, tenants rights, affordability crisis, consumer protection
Summary:
The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. The chair explained the ballot process under Article 48 and outlined the hearing structure. The first witness, a Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies researcher, described Massachusetts’ worsening rental affordability, explained how rent regulation policies are typically designed, and reviewed research suggesting rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability, while also noting concerns about reduced supply, quality, and implementation details. She compared the proposal to other state and local rent-stabilization laws and said the measure would cap increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain housing types, and apply to new tenants as well as current tenants because it would not allow vacancy decontrol.
Supporters of the petition argued that rent stabilization is needed to address displacement and immediate affordability pressures while broader housing production continues. The proponent from Homes for All Massachusetts said the policy is a grassroots response to corporate rent hikes and cited examples of tenants facing steep increases. A tenant from Arlington described a long dispute after a building was purchased by an investment firm and rents were raised sharply, saying the experience showed how rent increases can function as eviction. A union leader said high rents are forcing workers out of the communities they serve, and two experts testified that rent stabilization can reduce displacement and provide broad, immediate benefits. Committee members asked about the proposal’s exemptions, the 10-year new-construction carveout, vacancy decontrol, and whether the policy could discourage development; supporters said the bill targets large landlords, preserves room for small owners, and should be viewed as a complement to new housing production.
Opponents, including small property owners, a chamber of commerce representative, a union official, and a landlord, argued the measure would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance rise faster than the proposed cap, and warned that capping rents would lower property values and tax revenues. Several opponents emphasized that many housing providers are not large corporations but local “mom-and-pop” owners, and one said the proposal would discourage pension funds and other investors from financing new projects. Committee members pressed opponents on what alternatives they would support for affordability, and opponents pointed to increased housing production and other housing policies instead of rent control. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 17th, 2026
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions
Transcript Highlights:
- as well as current tenants.
- stable rents to keep good tenants.
- Tenants don't intend to become part of the community, so they weren't prepared for tenants who actually
- This tenant flipping not only displaces existing tenants, it hurts communities.
- In Los Angeles, rent-stabilized tenants pay $3,600 less per year than non-stabilized tenants.
Bills:
H5008
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 18th, 2026
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- But one of my arguments is that when you buy as co-tenants, you don't get sole ownership.
Bills:
H5314
Keywords:
condominium conversion, co-owned property, tenants in common, two-unit building, duplex, partition action, Land Court, chapter 183A, chapter 241, master deed, shared ownership, housing, property law, real estate, easements, common areas, common expenses, condominium ownership, small multifamily housing, 1212
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Most rural communities don't have the funds to set up these tenant services.
- 65% of all tenants in Dallas County that show up for their hearings.
- We would love to see other cities actually defending tenants.
- Would this apply to disabled and low-income indigent tenants?
- And all that, so that's not...and again, tenants, they're not tenants because they're illegal.
Keywords:
municipality, local government, Type A, Type B, Type C, change authority, emergency medical services, civil service status, municipal government, public safety, local government code, school funding, education, state budget, local control, equity, tenant legal services, eviction, low-income tenants, disability rights
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're looking at the landlord-tenant obligations.
- We've got another mobile home tenant protection bill for you.
- to the tenant.
- trying to prorate for each tenant.
- So therefore, the tenants' utilities are going to go up and our profit margin is going to go down.
Keywords:
digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, landlord tenant laws, tenant rights
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- the relationship between landlords and tenants.
- So, Vin, does it talk about any recourse if the landlord does not inform the tenant?
- It was a tenant who missed a couple weeks of work... That’s okay.
- This discretion is an important tool to protect tenants.
- Allowing payments during the process can absolutely help tenants.
Keywords:
rental payments, landlords, tenants, eviction, legal procedures, housing stability, land banking, property authority, housing development, urban planning, real estate management, SB 6237, Washington landlord-tenant law, Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, rental property disclosure, flood risk, flood hazard area, special flood hazard area, potential flooding, tenant notice
Summary:
The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 6237 would require landlords to disclose to new tenants whether a rental property may be in a flood hazard area, that renters’ personal property is not covered by the landlord’s insurance, and that tenants should consider renters and flood insurance; supporters said it addresses a real information gap after recent flooding, while housing groups were generally neutral or supportive but asked for clarifying language and noted there is no specific penalty for non-disclosure. SB 6214 would authorize public corporations, housing authorities, and certain nonprofits to operate land bank authorities for affordable housing, with tax exemptions and priority access to tax-foreclosed property; testimony was largely supportive from local governments, housing authorities, and affordable housing advocates, while one witness opposed it as an unnecessary market intervention and the Department of Revenue flagged the need for clearer definitions to administer the exemptions. SB 6139 would require landlords to keep accepting previously used payment methods and allow partial rent payments during eviction proceedings without those payments reinstating the lease or stopping the unlawful detainer case; the sponsor said it would address recurring court problems where tenants could not make partial payments, while tenant advocates opposed it as accelerating evictions and limiting judicial discretion, and landlord groups said they were concerned about operational and legal clarity but were open to further work.
In executive session, the committee took up SB 6091, which would bar real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited or exclusive buyer groups. The committee adopted a proposed substitute that clarified the bill does not require owners to allow access into a home and removed language tying violations to the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The committee then voted the substitute do pass and sent the bill to Rules. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9278, Pedro Espinoza, and 9279, Diana H. Perez, to the Housing Finance Commission.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:16 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB145, HB279, HB292, SB35, HJM1, HM7, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM32, HM51, HM1, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM30, HM52, HM64, HM65, HM66, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HM17, HM46, HM13, HM20, HM54, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM59, HM2, HM16, HM47, HM53
Keywords:
high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, sexual abuse, prison safety, correctional facilities, inmate rights, investigation procedures, judgeship, judiciary, court system
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 19th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB145, HB279, HB292, SB35, HJM1, HM7, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM32, HM51, HM1, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM30, HM52, HM64, HM65, HM66, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HM17, HM46, HM13, HM20, HM54, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM59, HM2, HM16, HM47, HM53
Keywords:
high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, sexual abuse, prison safety, correctional facilities, inmate rights, investigation procedures, judgeship, judiciary, court system
Summary:
The House met on the final day of session with quorum present and spent much of the morning and afternoon on announcements, expressions of gratitude, and ceremonial business. Members repeatedly thanked committee staff, leadership, clerks, security, sergeants-at-arms, analysts, and family members for their work during the session. The Speaker also recognized committee chairs, vice chairs, and ranking members, and reflected on the importance of committee leadership and the personal perspective gained during the session.
The chamber took up several memorials. House Memorial 4, requesting an LFC study on expanding health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees, passed 36-23 after debate over whether the study should focus on expansion and affordability. House Memorial 30, directing a study of public education governance and the possibility of a statewide education commission, passed 57-0. House Memorial 24, calling for a study of the possible consequences of restructuring the Las Vegas land grant, passed 60-0. House Memorial 26, a Wild Friends memorial about insects and an interagency workshop on insect identification, ecology, and habitat protection, passed after extensive supportive debate from members who emphasized science education, pollinators, and ecological balance.
The House also approved a large consent calendar of memorials by a 55-0 vote, then cleared additional ceremonial memorials from the Speaker’s table, including New Mexico Food and Farms Day, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Lincoln County Day, New Mexico TRIO programs, and New Mexico Speech-Language-Hearing Association Day, which also passed 55-0. The chamber received a Senate message concurring in House amendments to Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 273, as amended. The House then stood in recess subject to the call of the Chair while awaiting any further Senate messages and final adjournment business.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- bills before you today, including the tenant opportunity and tenant protection bills before you today
- We're a tenant organization representing tenants in privately owned government-subsidized housing.
- Somerville is very popular with tenant protection to file the tenant opportunity.
- The first with tenant protection to file the tenant opportunity, the first tenant opportunity to purchase
- Now I am a tenant myself.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of landlord-tenant and home rule bills, with most testimony focused on rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), tenant fees, access to counsel, algorithmic rent fixing, and tenant protections in subsidized housing. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty outlined the hearing procedures and noted that written testimony could also be submitted. Several members and invited speakers emphasized that the committee was hearing from both local officials and residents affected by housing instability, especially in Somerville and other communities facing high rents and displacement.
Supporters of rent stabilization and local-option rent control argued that Massachusetts needs tools to prevent displacement while new housing is built. Senator Eldridge, Senator Jalen, Somerville officials, tenant organizers, and residents described steep rent increases, no-fault evictions, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable housing. Somerville’s home rule petition was described as allowing annual increases tied to CPI plus 2%, capped at 5%, with exemptions for owner-occupied two- and three-family homes and a 15-year exemption for new construction. TOPA supporters said it would let tenants or their designees buy buildings before speculative buyers, preserving affordable housing stock; opponents, including small landlords and property managers, argued rent control would reduce supply, discourage investment, and that TOPA could delay sales and harm properties.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to curb junk fees and regulate tenant charges, including limits on late fees, lease renewal fees, payment portal fees, attorney’s fees, and other add-on charges. Advocates said these fees can add hundreds of dollars a month and disproportionately harm low-income renters and renters of color. Another major topic was algorithmic rent fixing: Senator Moore and Representative Sabadoza said landlords should not use software such as RealPage to coordinate pricing, citing federal antitrust actions and arguing that competition is essential to lowering rents. Additional testimony supported a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, with legal services providers saying representation dramatically improves outcomes and can save the state money, and a bill to create an office of tenant protections to better enforce sanitary code violations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If the tenant never gets to the courtroom and we're defunded, there is no matching of the tenant and
- Tenants association? Tenants union, yeah. Okay, is it association or? Union. It's union.
- Coalition for Tenant Justice. Okay, it says Coalition Tenants Justice.
- You're saying that it's Coalition for Tenant Justice? Coalition for Tenant Justice. Yes.
- Single tenant. They're there to protect all the tenants. We're all lawyers. We know that.
Bills:
HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204
Keywords:
eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581
NH
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So if the tenant never gets to the courtroom and we're defunded, there is no matching of the tenant and
- So if a tenant, if a client of yours, a tenant, is not paid rent in several months, what defense are
- For the 2.1 million Texan tenants that are housing cost burden and nearly 1 million tenants who are classified
- Adcock, I have you here on behalf of yourself and also the soap factory tenants Association tenants union
- OK, it, it says Coalition Tenants Justice.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> this section of of tenant holding over. this section of of tenant holding over.
- </c> low-income tenants facing eviction. low-income tenants facing eviction.
- . tenant. tenant.
- </c> tenants in eviction proceedings. tenants in eviction proceedings.
- </c> landlord and the tenant, number one. landlord and the tenant, number one.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It allows tenant organizers to come into a building with a tenant who lives there, if they don't live
- </c> created the ability for tenant created the ability for tenant organizers<00:04:05.959><c> to</c>
- </c> to say if you are allowing a tenant to say if you are allowing a tenant organizer<00:04:16.639><
- </c> come into a building with a tenant uh come into a building with a tenant uh who<00:05:19.039><c>
- </c><00:10:42.680><c> do</c> if a tenant group does if tenants do if a tenant group does if tenants do
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/30/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- I just look out for the remainder of the tenants besides the one tenant or tenants that want to organize
- </c><00:52:21.640><c> or</c> tenants besides the one tenant or tenants besides the one tenant or multiple
- Guests of tenants, such as friends, family members, neighbors, or even a non-tenant tenant organizer,
- Do's efforts and helping tenants. But guests of tenants are for that tenant.
- or tenant tenant organizing or tenant organizers<01:20:21.320><c> uh</c><01:20:21.520><c> but</c><01
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- c> post</c><00:13:16.320><c> judgment</c> the tenant files any post judgment the tenant files any post
- </c> motion for reconsideration, the tenant motion for reconsideration, the tenant must<00:13:20.320>
- </c><00:15:24.800><c> default</c> says in the case of the tenant default says in the case of the tenant
- </c> just cause delays and um allow tenants just cause delays and um allow tenants to<00:16:12.880><c
- </c><00:22:29.840><c> did</c> an eviction was filed, the tenant did an eviction was filed, the tenant
Summary:
The subcommittee took up a proposed amendment to HP 598, with Nick Norman walking members through changes intended to preserve the existing eviction framework rather than create a separate expedited process. He said the amendment folds the bill’s changes into current law, adds limits on post-judgment motions and continuances, shortens or eliminates certain discretionary stays in default situations, and speeds issuance of notices and writs of possession. The amendment also adds language to RSA 540A to allow action against tenants, family members, guests, or occupants engaging in conduct that damages property or threatens health and safety, and it changes the effective date to 90 days after passage. Norman also said the amendment was meant to reduce frivolous delays and court fiscal impacts.
Members raised concerns about several provisions, especially the clause barring discretionary stays after tenant default, the use of the word “immediately” for issuing writs, and the reduction of discretionary stays from 90 days to 60 days. One member asked for clarification on whether any meritorious circumstances should still allow a stay, and another suggested defining a specific timeline for judgments after hearings. Norman responded that the default provision was aimed at cases where tenants do not appear at all, and he said the intent was to prevent abuse of the process. He also discussed the new RSA 540A language as a way to address serious health and safety problems, including unauthorized occupants and hoarding.
Other testimony was generally supportive of the amendment as an improvement over the original bill, but several witnesses urged changes. New Hampshire Legal Assistance said it would likely be neutral if recommended edits were made, and suggested clarifying language, preserving the ability to strike defaults, and allowing longer stays by agreement of the parties. That witness and others argued that a 60-day cap could interfere with negotiated move-out agreements and could be too short in some cases, especially for elderly or disabled tenants. There was also discussion of narrowing the new 540A remedy to the specific person causing the problem, while preserving protections for innocent household members, particularly in domestic violence situations. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated the committee would consider revised language before executive session.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Virginia Housing Commission - Fees in Residential Rental Agreements Workgroup Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Income tenants in Northern and Central Virginia.
- But it does allow them to mitigate their risk and potentially rent to a riskier tenant, you know, a tenant
- As much as the tenant can.
- or a tenant with a subsidy.
- Our intention is to give motivated tenants an option.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> >> um, no provision for the original tenant >> um, no provision for the original tenant
- </c><00:18:34.240><c> rate,</c> eviction notice, landlord, tenant rate, eviction notice, landlord, tenant
- </c><00:23:01.840><c> bifurcation</c> >> specific tenants bifurcation >> specific tenants
- </c> three to say uh, landlords and tenants three to say uh, landlords and tenants may<00:49:51.520><
- </c> municipal authority, not tenants rights. municipal authority, not tenants rights.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Housing Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It allows tenant organizers to come into a building with a tenant who lives there.
- The person can come in with a tenant.
- So it has been a pleasure statewide tenant advocacy organization that provides free legal advice to tenants
- Guests of tenants, such as friends, family members, neighbors, or even a non-resident tenant organizer
- organizer needing to accompany a tenant.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Jun 21st, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- as well as current tenants.
- as well as current tenants.
- This tenant flipping not only displaces existing tenants, it hurts communities.
- In Los Angeles, rent-stabilized tenants pay $3,600 less per year than non-stabilized tenants.
- In Los Angeles, rent-stabilized tenants pay $3,600 less per year than non-stabilized tenants.
Summary:
The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability.
Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist.
Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.