[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6652893,"mediaKeyId","2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6","parentId",2489233,"title","Panel advances temporary rent-freeze proposal for Los Angeles County amid wildfire recovery","audioSeconds",3263,"startMs",3829000,"endMs",7092000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6&start=3829&end=7092","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6/thumbnail_3829000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652893/California/Panel-advances-temporary-rent-freeze-proposal-for-Los-Angeles-County-amid-wildfire-recovery","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652893-af8dbad7996cff0e5b73d0358b9c870d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770686898&Signature=N3xXPSIzQdPWvndJbT0Z1x1wJuvIaLEcWVYp8fpzUPY~9nSLy-S7FtKowUF4WZ09K2HjWDFmSyzGY0X4SWXL~~qCwoaNG5x-8woPOrSNlBjpIIqXup~ADBK1zyIjOtRwFBcgd1FUlkEkpyGwLuv5kZwW4aDfVwBCir9QwW0jqHjwSi3O2LaBs3WANQQa~5T8JfucbOr4c5pk0sChFcUnQ-EPwD2C7JdElZIb5qtIm3thCT3BBdN4G6IHiVZRR~Yah9ksDvMlnuLfmwVcjy7ifwEXP7ymKCQQWU-KuXWky7pMmbQyf7AZ~iiVr~9No5BlaedXN7vwnsBIMQ53qy315A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Assemblymember Bridal (bill author) presented AB 246 as an emergency measure to stabilize rents across Los Angeles County following the Jan. 7 wildfires that destroyed homes and displaced thousands. With committee amendments, the measure would pause rent increases in Los Angeles County until March 1, 2026, as the author described it (committee amendments and language in the hearing referenced a one-year pause tied to the emergency period).

Supporters included displaced workers and nonprofit housing advocates. Cynthia Banning, who said she lost her job when a Palisades restaurant burned, described staff and community members now facing job loss and rising rents. Susie Shannon, policy director for Housing Is A Human Right and co-sponsor Coalition for Economic Survival, told the committee the county had seen a rapid spike in listing prices and that protections beyond existing price-gouging statutes were necessary to prevent exploitation of evacuees and displaced renters.

Opponents included major landlord and real-estate organizations that warned the bill would create unintended market disruptions and harm small “mom-and-pop” landlords. The California Apartment Association, Southern California Rental Housing Association, California Association of Realtors and business groups argued existing state anti-price-gouging law (penal code section 396) and local rent-control regimes already provide protection and that a countywide freezes risks driving owners out of the market or discouraging long-term leases. Industry witnesses requested narrower, targeted remedies or caps rather than a countywide freeze.

Committee members debated remedy and scope. Several Democratic members said price-gouging enforcement is slow and places the burden on victims; they supported a temporary state remedy to stabilize the market during recovery. Other members said the remedy should protect small landlords from absorption of rising insurance and other operating costs and suggested converting a freeze to a temporary cap (for example, 5%). The author signaled willingness to work with stakeholders on amendments to address those concerns.

The committee voted to move AB 246, as amended, out of Judiciary and forward it for further consideration; the transcript records the following roll-call positions (as announced in committee): Kalra (aye); Bauer Kehan (aye); Brian (aye); Chen (no); Connelly (aye); Asseley/Asali (no); Harabedian (aye); Pacheco (no); Pappan (aye); Sanchez (no); Stephanie (aye); Ziburr (aye). The motion passed and the bill advanced.

Why it matters: The bill aims to provide short-term protection for wildfire-displaced households seeking housing in an already tight Los Angeles rental market. Supporters say it prevents opportunistic increases; opponents warn of unintended consequences for rental supply and small property owners.

What’s next: The author and stakeholders indicated they will continue negotiations on carve-outs and possible caps, and the bill will proceed through the legislative process with further amendments possible.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Judiciary Committee (1)","oneSentenceSummary","Assemblymember Bridal presented AB 246 to a Judiciary Committee hearing as a temporary measure to pause rent increases in Los Angeles County after January wildfires, saying the freeze would protect displaced renters from price gouging.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6652898,"Assembly committee advances bill to extend mortgage forbearance for LA wildfire survivors",265,2648000,2913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6&start=2648&end=2913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6/thumbnail_2648000.jpg","/articles/6652898/California/Assembly-committee-advances-bill-to-extend-mortgage-forbearance-for-LA-wildfire-survivors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652898-00448c4385aed39a15a6fc77969b5287/orig.mp4?Expires=1770686898&Signature=Q0RVP9wNcpNfhNzmDFAY87dOdb64F21nFsalQttAd33fhS9DQ6u42wceQVChspguCXQX2JipK4-6GScmEhZkJZm7SJA-P7B8o7~XB2McszQz4ycj4mB8-4qU~ZKsrchN0TSsM2CXZQPbaSmPV3fkotC9rho~Pw-LsqDU9fP4whgALrgnFj-gLeu9Y9mxtW2a66RA4pCGXwIIpMnnRg6rnYlt3I3NUNc0y~XKkd28vEaQ4Jl-BrV7zpmZK1QBbofGftcej0NPRTsJuh3ht7i2sXSOrWtRbSsqa6mHKQGtCf5VzrvOuRekVtPXxi-P4aY2ogEAJhw9EdLYcE7GZ-G6Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Harabedian introduced AB 238 on the Assembly Judiciary Committee floor, telling members the bill would create a clear, accessible safety net for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors by allowing borrowers to request an initial mortgage forbearance of up to 180 days, with the option to extend for additional relief up to one year in total.

The bill’s author said preliminary data show widespread property loss and displacement in the January wildfires in Los Angeles County and argued that short-term relief already provided by many lenders — a governor-led industry agreement for 90 days’ relief — is insufficient for long-term recovery. “Without relief, these mounting financial burdens could trigger a wave of foreclosures,” the author said in committee testimony.

A coalition of tenants’ and labor groups supported the bill in committee. Renee Bayardo, testifying for RISE Economy and HPP CARES, said HPP CARES is a California nonprofit housing counseling organization and that many families they assisted at disaster resource centers had lost their homes and face the hardship of paying mortgage and rent at the same time. Matt Lachey of SEIU California and Doug Subers of the California Professional Fire Fighters also expressed support.

Financial-industry groups raised concerns but characterized them as constructive, not formal opposition. Vanessa Lugo of the California Bankers Association said banks were already offering relief and urged amendments to avoid conflicts with investor and guarantor rules. Indira McDonald of the California Mortgage Bankers Association and other servicer representatives asked the author to align the bill with GSE (government-sponsored enterprise) and investor guidelines, saying servicers face contractual obligations that could conflict with a state-mandated forbearance period without documentation checks. Several industry witnesses asked that compliance with existing federal/state disaster-relief servicing guidelines be deemed compliance with the bill.

Committee members thanked the author and supporters and pressed for continued negotiations with industry; the author committed to amendments to add documentation checkpoints after the first 180 days and to continue talks about potential conflicts with investor/GSE rules. The committee moved the bill to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Votes and procedural outcome: the committee recorded the motion to move AB 238 to appropriations and completed a roll call; members recorded in the transcript as voting “aye” include Kalra; Bauer; Bridal (author); Brian; Chen; Connelly; Harabedian; Pacheco; Pappan; Stephanie; and Ziburr; Sanchez was recorded as not voting. The motion passed and AB 238 was referred to Appropriations.

Why it matters: The bill targets borrowers displaced or otherwise financially affected by the Los Angeles wildfires by creating a state-level forbearance option intended to prevent foreclosures and reduce housing instability while allowing negotiations with mortgage servicers and investors to continue.

What’s next: Committee members and stakeholders said they expect amendments before floor consideration to address servicer/investor conflicts and to define documentation and check-in requirements after the initial forbearance period.","The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted to move AB 238, which would allow wildfire-affected homeowners in Los Angeles County to request up to 180 days of initial mortgage forbearance with the option to extend to one year; the bill cleared committee on a voice/roll-call and will go to Appropriations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6652888,"Committee approves temporary eviction exemption to allow tenants to shelter displaced wildfire survivors and pets",178,7200000,7378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6&start=7200&end=7378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489233-c633df83fdee1b0f413f233e75eea0c6/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6652888/California/Committee-approves-temporary-eviction-exemption-to-allow-tenants-to-shelter-displaced-wildfire-survivors-and-pets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652888-940e8f4910a80fe37f9bc47ccf3b10db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770686898&Signature=fp63FIUG4xGciKksu24oZJZE2xpH4KJBa8E4lOcGEWfC3ZudElcvNRBMaCGOyBXIOj9QMGOFY91rt5K-i~muz3ERhy1FAaDBHTiWlTxcQtnwYVjWaqUSzHqibHIm1Q4NeZQFtygaCy4cJaaYnXrvXAgx-kqjR1REz70RWPdbhX1aXQWqR5X-Pkvxs-oJM7CcfmctuhWS0KGReb4UQV08psfzjRs85Iy-Hz4Hl9CG8Y~WAo0MwDhQrgUWuuDtwVwCrXOXXhSJl8oBn6TCFMCJ5X3Mnk8SfdQlOVHmNzLTsU3zaW4lH5PVqfvaqMYFwQheoKz0npJKi1IyTHrEtAhFIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember McKinner (joint author with Speaker Rivas, as stated in committee) presented AB 311 as a reinstatement of prior law to allow tenants to temporarily house people or families and their pets displaced by a declared state of emergency without risk of eviction. The author said the January Los Angeles County wildfires rendered thousands of residents homeless and that friends and family who could temporarily shelter survivors may be constrained by lease language.

Supporters included the California Apartment Association, which testified in favor of the bill and described the measure as balancing tenants’ and landlords’ rights while enabling temporary sheltering arrangements. Martha Guerrero, representing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, described the fires’ scale and economic impact and urged passage so that generosity by tenants to shelter survivors would not be punished by eviction.

The Humane Society (testifying as Humane World for Animals) said it supported the bill’s intent but asked for continued conversations about nonrefundable fee language related to pets. No opposition testimony was recorded in the committee.

Committee members and witnesses said the measure would create a temporary eviction exemption and help mitigate homelessness risk by allowing displaced people and their pets to stay with friends or family who rent. The committee voted and the motion to advance the bill carried; the author said she would continue to work with stakeholders on final implementation details.

Why it matters: AB 311 creates a narrowly tailored, temporary protection enabling renters to host displaced wildfire survivors and their pets without facing eviction, expanding informal sheltering options during a disaster recovery period.

What’s next: The bill advanced from the Judiciary Committee; the author and stakeholders will continue discussion on pet-fee language and administrative details.","AB 311 would temporarily prohibit evictions of tenants who shelter people or pets displaced by declared emergencies; the Judiciary Committee advanced the bill after testimony from county officials and housing groups, noting a need for relief options for displaced households.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel advances temporary rent-freeze proposal for Los Angeles County amid wildfire recovery

Assembly committee advances bill to extend mortgage forbearance for LA wildfire survivors

Committee approves temporary eviction exemption to allow tenants to shelter displaced wildfire survivors and pets