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Committee hears broad support for bill protecting tenants who can’t rely on digital portals
Summary
The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness heard extensive testimony backing Senate Bill 1523A, which would require landlords using tenant portals to offer written or other non‑digital alternatives for applications, payments and access to common areas; supporters said the change is budget‑neutral and aimed at preventing eviction risks tied to portal failures.
Senate Bill 1523A, which would require landlords who use tenant portals to provide non‑electronic alternatives for applications, payments and access to common areas, drew wide support during a Feb. 19 public hearing before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness.
Supporters told the committee the measure is intended to "bridge the digital divide" and remove barriers for low‑income tenants, seniors and people with disabilities. "This bill is designed to bridge what we're referring to as the digital divide for tenants and remove barriers to housing," Sybil Hebb of the Oregon Law Center testified.
Why it matters: Witnesses said portals can become gatekeepers to housing when tenants lack smartphones, reliable internet or the skills to navigate online systems, or when technical errors…
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