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Committee unanimously advances bill to protect tenants who shelter wildfire victims and pets
Summary
AB 311 would temporarily prohibit evictions of tenants who take in people and pets displaced by declared emergencies. The Judiciary Committee advanced the measure unanimously and supporters urged the change to reduce homelessness risk during wildfire recovery.
Assemblymember McKinner, joined as a joint author by Speaker Rivas, introduced AB 311 to create a temporary eviction exemption for tenants who provide shelter to persons and their pets displaced by a declared state of emergency.
"Allowing subleasing or allowing additional tenants to be added is an important option for displaced residents and their pets to temporarily reside in a friend or family member's rental home," Assemblymember McKinner said, describing the January wildfires that destroyed thousands of structures and displaced tens of thousands of people.
Martha Guerrero, representing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, told the committee that the fires had produced "unprecedented" displacement and economic losses and urged the exemption to avoid penalizing tenants who open their homes to neighbors and relatives in crisis. "We cannot allow technicalities and lease agreements to prevent people from helping their neighbors in times of crisis," Guerrero said, asking the committee for support.
The California Apartment Association and other housing providers testified in support of the concept and noted the bill reinstates provisions from prior California law to facilitate temporary sheltering arrangements for displaced people and pets. The Humane Society and other animal welfare groups expressed support for the bill's intent but asked to continue conversations about nonrefundable fee language for tenants with pets.
Committee members expressed broad support for the measure as a pragmatic tool to reduce homelessness and avoid burdening emergency shelters. The committee passed AB 311 on a unanimous vote and the bill will proceed for further consideration.
Ending details: Supporters included the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, housing providers and animal welfare organizations; the author said he will continue to work with stakeholders on any technical language, including provisions related to pet fees and landlord notifications.
