Committee approves notice, delivery and timelines for self‑service storage agreements

The Consumer Protection and Business Committee on Feb. 3 adopted two amendments to House Bill 2,240 and reported the substitute out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by voice vote, 14-1.

Representative Ryu moved amendment MOL590 to require self-service storage owners to provide rental agreements by both email and first-class mail when the occupant has provided an email address; Ryu said operators appeared to be fine with the requirement. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

The chair moved MOL608 to lengthen the notice period from 15 days to 25 days before an owner may deny access or sell property associated with a terminated or nonrenewed rental contract; staff explained the amendment yields an additional five days after the termination date (30 days total) for occupants to remove property. Representative Abarneau urged a no vote, citing industry strain and additional process burdens. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

On final passage the committee incorporated the adopted amendments into the substitute and reported substitute House Bill 2,240 as amended out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The chair announced that, with 15 members present, there were 14 votes in the affirmative and 1 negative.

What it does: As amended, the substitute standardizes delivery and time frames for electronic rental agreements and the process an owner must follow before denying access or selling a tenant’s property. Under the adopted language an occupant who provided an email address will receive both email and first-class mail notice, and the combined notice/response framework provides roughly 30 days total for removal after notice or nonrenewal.

Next steps: Substitute House Bill 2,240 as amended will proceed to the next legislative stage after the committee report.