WBPA Legislative Update: HB 1236 & SB 5160
HB 1236 – Mandatory Lease Renewal - Just Cause
HB 1236, protecting residential tenants from the beginning to end of their tenancies by penalizing the inclusion of unlawful lease provisions and limiting the reasons for eviction, refusal to continue, and termination, Prime Sponsored by Rep. Nicole Macri (D-42) passed the Senate on April 8 with a vote of 28 yeas and 21 nays. On April 13, the House of Representatives concurred in Senate Amendments with a vote of 54 yeas, 44 nays, 0 absent and 0 excused. The bill is now on the way to the Governor’s office for his signature and potential veto of any portion of the bill.
While we find the legislature’s choice of language troubling, we were able to get the bill modified to allow fixed-term leases to continue outside of Just Cause but they included additional restrictions and 60-day notice required to end the tenancy.
To view the bill as passed the legislature, click here.
SB 5160 – Extending Eviction Moratorium
SB 5160, addressing landlord-tenant relations by providing certain tenant protections during and after public health emergencies, providing for legal representation in eviction cases, and authorizing landlord access to state rental assistance programs, Prime Sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-48), passed the House of Representatives on April 8 with a vote of 72 yeas, 26 nays, 0 absent, and 0 excused. On April 19 the Senate concurred in House Amendments by a vote of 27 yeas, 22 nays, 0 absent and 0 excused. The bill is now on the way to the Governor’s office for his signature and potential veto of any portion of the bill.
The legislature came through at the end and set an end date for the Governor’s Moratorium which will terminate on June 30, 2021. Additionally, the bill increases from $5k to $15k the payments available to housing providers under the Landlord Mitigation Program for payment plans that are unsuccessful.
To view the bill as passed the legislature, click here.
Forthcoming we will send additional information on the final bill language for both bills.