Oregon hearing hears testimony for SB 722 on rent stabilization and ban on algorithmic rent‑setting

Summary

Supporters told the Senate Committee on Housing and Development that SB 722 would curb predatory rent spikes and ban AI-driven price‑setting tools; opponents warned the bill is vague, difficult to enforce and could chill investment. The committee held a carryover public hearing and closed it without a vote.

The Senate Committee on Housing and Development reopened a public hearing March 26 on Senate Bill 722, a measure that would reduce the new‑construction exemption in Oregon's rent stabilization law and ban the use of AI‑driven algorithmic software to set rents or leave units vacant.

Supporters from tenant and civil‑rights organizations urged senators to oppose amendments that would strip rent stabilization provisions. Kim McCarty, executive director of Community Alliance of Tenants, described multiple tenant accounts of "rent gouging" including single increases above 30 percent and repeated double‑digit raises that caused displacement. "These are the types of scenarios that are still happening," McCarty said.

The bill would shorten the current 15‑year exemption for new construction to seven years and would prohibit landlords from using third‑party algorithmic tools that rely on nonpublic data to set rents. Advocates…

Oregon hearing hears testimony for SB 722 on rent stabilization and ban on algorithmic rent‑setting

Summary

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