Committee issues do-not-pass recommendation for bill to add 2-1-1 legal-service referral to eviction notices

The Senate Industry and Business Committee voted 4-0 to recommend a do-not-pass on Senate Bill 23-66, a measure that would have required landlords to include information about the availability of legal services in notices of intention to evict.

Senator Ryan Brownberger, who represents Senate District 10 and sponsored the bill, told the committee the proposal would ensure tenants — particularly low-income and elderly residents — are made aware of their rights and can access assistance that could help them navigate eviction proceedings. "Landlords must include information about the availability of legal services in the eviction notice," Brownberger said. He added the notice could simply list the 2-1-1 phone number so callers are connected to local resources through First Link.

Brownberger said the change was intended to promote "informed decision making" and not to create unnecessary obstacles for landlords. He described 2-1-1 as a statewide directory and referral point that can connect callers to legal aid and to programs that sometimes provide short-term monetary assistance aimed at preventing eviction.

Committee members pressed the sponsor on logistics and scope. Sen. Klein asked whether the notice would go to all tenants and whether directing everyone to a nonprofit legal aid contact was appropriate when many tenants may not qualify for such services. Brownberger replied the 2-1-1 operator could refer callers beyond the nonprofit network and that the referral line already handles a range of service requests across the state. He said the added notice would not itself create new services or change eligibility rules; the bill would only require landlords to include referral information in the eviction notice.

Several senators expressed skepticism about how effective a notice would be in practice. Committee members noted the urgency and stress tenants face on short eviction timelines (the sponsor referenced a typical "3-day notice") and questioned whether receiving a printed referral would change outcomes for tenants who do not seek help.

After discussion, Sen. Klein moved that the committee recommend a do-not-pass on the bill; Sen. Angott seconded. The clerk called the role; Senators Inget, Vice Chair BAME, Bridal and Klein recorded "aye" on the recommendation, producing a 4-0 do-not-pass vote. The committee chair closed the hearing on SB 23-66.

The hearing record shows the measure was debated as a single substantive agenda item and concluded without a committee recommendation to advance the bill to the floor.