Senate housing committee advances TOPA bill after members flag 45‑day response window

The Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development voted to report S401 — a bill to amend the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law to establish a tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA) — to the Judiciary Committee during a February 2025 committee meeting.

Committee members said the bill would mark a major step toward giving tenants a statutory right to be offered the chance to buy their building before sale. Lawmakers and advocates are still negotiating details, however, with several members saying a 45‑day period for tenants to accept or respond to an owner’s purchase notice is likely too short in many cases.

Members noted the bill contains provisions intended to allow third‑party organizations to act on tenants’ behalf or to help tenants find financing. Committee discussion emphasized the bill attempts to balance tenants’ need for time to organize and secure funding with property owners’ interest in an efficient sale process. Lawmakers said a number of provisions remain under discussion and that multiple versions of the bill exist in other houses with materially different terms.

On the floor of the committee, senators moved to report S401 to the Judiciary Committee and a second was recorded. Several members submitted vote sheets in lieu of attendance; named negative votes were recorded in the transcript. The bill was reported to Judiciary. Committee members said they expect continued conversations between sponsors and tenant advocates about timing and notification mechanics, including when tenants are required to be notified in the sales process.

Next steps: S401 will go to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Committee members and sponsors indicated they expect additional amendments and negotiations as the bill moves through the process.