Committee advances substitute HB 1217 limiting rent and fee increases to 7% after partisan debate

The House Housing Committee on Jan. 20 reported substitute House Bill 1217 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, by a 9–8 vote. The bill as advanced would limit rent and fee increases to 7% in any 12‑month period for tenancies governed by the Residential Landlord Tenant Act and the Manufactured Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act, with a series of contested proposed amendments considered and mostly rejected during the committee session.

The bill matters because it would set a statewide numeric cap on annual rent and fee increases for covered tenancies and because committee debate highlighted friction between tenant stability advocates and members warning of impacts on housing supply and small landlords.

Staff member Audrey Vasek briefed the committee that HB 1217 “limited rent and fee increases to 7% during any 12‑month period for a tenancy subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act and the Manufactured Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act,” and that the bill packet included 15 amendments. Many amendments were moved by Representative Dufeau; Vice Chair Hill moved that the bill be reported out with a due-pass recommendation.

Lawmakers debated multiple amendments that would have changed the bill’s scope or enforcement. Representative Dufeau introduced Amendment 44 to make the 7% cap grow by the 12‑month change in the Consumer Price Index; Dufeau argued the change was needed so rents could keep pace with property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. Representative Alvarado opposed the amendment, saying the plain 7% cap “provides predictability so people know the top amount at which the rent can go up so they can plan and budget.” A roll call on Amendment 44 resulted in the amendment failing (vote recorded as nay by Representative Peterson, Representative Hill, Representative Richards, Representative Alvarado, Representative…