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House committee hears bill to ban algorithmic rent‑setting amid DOJ investigations
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony supporting House Bill 679, the End Rental Price Fixing Act, which would bar landlords from using algorithmic software to set rents in ways the bill’s sponsor and witnesses say can amount to collusion. Supporters cited Justice Department actions and academic studies; opponents warned of definitional and enforcement risks.
Representative Gabriel Sanchez, sponsor of House Bill 679, told the House Judiciary Committee that the bill would ban the use of algorithmic software that helps set rental prices when the software is used by multiple landlords in the same market.
"They created an algorithmic software to set rental prices, and they sell that software to landlords competing in the same market," Representative Gabriel Sanchez said, describing allegations centered on RealPage and related platforms. "This bill ... codifies into law that this practice of using algorithmic software ... cannot be used to set rental prices."
The bill, as presented, would invalidate contracts that use software to recommend rents across landlords in the same market and includes a carve‑out for federal,…
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