Board backs state rent‑freeze bill amid fire displacement, asks for date‑certain language

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to support AB 246, a state bill proposed to freeze rent increases while a governor's state of emergency remains in effect, and asked the bill author to consider adding a date certain to the measure.

Supervisors discussed concerns that an open‑ended freeze tied to a state emergency could have unintended effects on small "mom and pop" landlords already facing higher insurance and repair costs following the January wildfires. Supervisor Hahn said she would ask the bill author to add a clear time frame; the board adopted a letter of support that includes a request for a date certain.

Public commenters including tenants and tenant advocates urged the board to back stronger protections for renters displaced or affected by the fires. Tenant advocates described online crowdsourced documentation of thousands of potential post‑fire rent increases.

Opposition came from housing industry representatives, including the California Apartment Association and the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, who warned that a county‑ or state‑level freeze could push small owners out of the rental market and reduce supply.

Supervisor Horvath said a statewide approach would create clarity for renters and landlords and pointed to examples where emergency price surges followed disasters; Supervisor Mitchell and others noted the bill is early in the legislative process and that changes could be made in committee. The vote to support the board's position and send a letter was recorded as carried (board recorded 4 ayes, 1 abstention by Supervisor Barger).