Senate committee advances $40 million emergency rental assistance and temporarily extends eviction notice period
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Summary
The Judiciary Committee advanced Senate File 3596, a $40 million emergency rental assistance package to be distributed through counties, and adopted an amendment temporarily extending the statutory eviction‑notice interval from 14 to 30 days to allow funds to reach landlords. Members debated process and notice to data‑privacy stakeholders before voting to move the bill to Finance.
Senate File 3596, a proposed $40 million emergency rental‑assistance package, was debated in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on March 4, where sponsors said rapid action is needed to avert an eviction surge this spring.
"We are facing an eviction crisis: calls for rental assistance to United Way, Legal Aid and HomeLine have surged," Senator Porte told the committee, citing a reported 60–80% increase in assistance calls over the prior three months. The bill would move $40 million through counties to provide short‑term rental aid and related supports.
Process dispute: Several members objected to the committee taking up the bill on expedited notice after language was amended in the Taxes Committee earlier the same day. Critics said data‑privacy stakeholders and the public had no practical opportunity to weigh in on the bill’s data‑classification language. Chair Lats defended the scheduling, saying ongoing evictions and immediate need justified an exception to the three‑day notice practice.
A24 amendment: Senator Lats offered and the committee adopted an A24 amendment that temporarily increases the statutory waiting period for initiating eviction proceedings from 14 to 30 days for four months to allow time for counties and providers to get funds to landlords. Supporters said the change reflects real‑world processing timelines and is intended to avert immediate homelessness while the assistance is distributed.
Audits and safeguards: Sponsors said the bill contains reporting and fraud‑prevention measures and that the Office of Legislative Auditors would have subpoena authority to access data in audits. Committee counsel affirmed that OLA retains statutory audit access to data classifications used in the bill.
Committee action: After debate the committee passed the bill, as amended, and referred it to the Finance Committee for funding discussion and further consideration.
What happens next: The bill will go to Finance for appropriations and then return to the full Senate as the schedule allows. Committee members asked sponsors and administrative staff to clarify program eligibility, timing and fraud‑prevention steps before a final floor vote.
Sources: Testimony from Senator Porte and committee questioning; amendments and committee votes recorded in committee transcript.
