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Committee advances Respect State Housing Laws Act amid sharp debate over 30‑day tenant notice
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Summary
Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s HR 1078, which would clarify a CARES Act eviction‑notice drafting ambiguity and restore pre‑CARES state/local notice primacy, was advanced by committee vote (29–22) after heated exchanges with Democrats who argued the change would strip tenant protections.
The committee considered HR 1078, the Respect State Housing Laws Act, introduced by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R‑Ga.), which would remove language in section 4024(c) of the CARES Act that some members say created ambiguity about a 30‑day notice requirement.
Loudermilk said the bill “would restore the pre‑CARES Act framework and respect the long‑standing role of state and local governments in housing law,” arguing the CARES provision was a temporary emergency measure and that the bill merely resolves a drafting error.
Ranking Member Maxine Waters and other Democrats strongly opposed the measure. Waters said eliminating the federal 30‑day notice “will effectively disappear nationwide” and warned it would increase evictions and homelessness. She cited HUD analysis and other studies to argue the 30‑day notice reduces evictions and stabilizes families.
Members debated whether the provision in the CARES Act was intended to be permanent and whether the committee should reverse the federal language. Supporters said states and localities would remain free to set longer notice periods; opponents said that in most states no 30‑day notice exists and that removing the federal floor would harm tenants.
The committee ordered HR 1078 as amended to be reported by voice and then by recorded tally; the clerk reported the recorded committee vote as 29 ayes and 22 nays. Several members indicated they would file supplemental or dissenting views in the committee report.
What’s next: The committee ordered HR 1078 reported to the House (recorded committee tally 29–22); the issue may draw floor attention and additional oversight requests.
