Panel advances temporary rent-freeze proposal for Los Angeles County amid wildfire recovery

Assemblymember Bridal (bill author) presented AB 246 as an emergency measure to stabilize rents across Los Angeles County following the Jan. 7 wildfires that destroyed homes and displaced thousands. With committee amendments, the measure would pause rent increases in Los Angeles County until March 1, 2026, as the author described it (committee amendments and language in the hearing referenced a one-year pause tied to the emergency period).

Supporters included displaced workers and nonprofit housing advocates. Cynthia Banning, who said she lost her job when a Palisades restaurant burned, described staff and community members now facing job loss and rising rents. Susie Shannon, policy director for Housing Is A Human Right and co-sponsor Coalition for Economic Survival, told the committee the county had seen a rapid spike in listing prices and that protections beyond existing price-gouging statutes were necessary to prevent exploitation of evacuees and displaced renters.

Opponents included major landlord and real-estate organizations that warned the bill would create unintended market disruptions and harm small “mom-and-pop” landlords. The California Apartment Association, Southern California Rental Housing Association, California Association of Realtors and business groups argued existing state anti-price-gouging law (penal code section 396) and local rent-control regimes already provide protection and that a countywide freezes risks driving owners out of the market or discouraging long-term leases. Industry witnesses requested narrower, targeted remedies or caps rather than a countywide freeze.

Committee members debated remedy and scope. Several Democratic members said price-gouging enforcement is slow and places the burden on victims; they supported a temporary state remedy to stabilize the market during recovery. Other members said the remedy should protect small landlords from absorption of rising insurance and other operating costs and suggested converting a freeze to a temporary cap (for example, 5%). The author signaled willingness to work with stakeholders on amendments to address those concerns.

The committee voted to move AB 246, as amended, out of Judiciary and forward it for further consideration; the transcript records the following roll-call positions (as announced in committee): Kalra (aye); Bauer Kehan (aye); Brian (aye); Chen (no); Connelly (aye); Asseley/Asali (no); Harabedian (aye); Pacheco (no); Pappan (aye); Sanchez (no); Stephanie (aye); Ziburr (aye). The motion passed and the bill advanced.

Why it matters: The bill aims to provide short-term protection for wildfire-displaced households seeking housing in an already tight Los Angeles rental market. Supporters say it prevents opportunistic increases; opponents warn of unintended consequences for rental supply and small property owners.

What’s next: The author and stakeholders indicated they will continue negotiations on carve-outs and possible caps, and the bill will proceed through the legislative process with further amendments possible.