Judiciary committee sends multiple bills to the floor and consent calendar; private‑equity housing and eviction bills drew robust debate
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Summary
The committee moved a large package of bills (consumer privacy, online safety, breach notification, residential‑purchase limits by private equity and eviction reforms) to the floor or consent calendar; members debated enforceability and constitutional concerns, and one amendment (changing '30' to '50') was adopted on the private‑equity housing bill.
The Judiciary Committee on April 10 moved dozens of bills to the floor or onto the committee’s consent calendar, but several items prompted substantive floor debate.
Chair transitioned the meeting from nominations to bills and introduced substitute for Senate Bill 4 (consumer privacy and protection). The chair noted Section 18, which addresses automated license-plate readers (ALPRs), overlaps with other bills and said language would be reconciled as the measure advances.
The committee then considered Senate substitute for SB 5 (online safety) and substitute for SB 117 (data breaches involving electronic personal information). Members acknowledged ongoing stakeholder talks and asked that technical changes be expected as the bills go forward.
A more heated debate centered on substitute for SB 256 (an act concerning purchase of residential property by private equity entities). Representative Fishbein offered an amendment changing the figure in line 21 from 30 to 50 (the committee record notes the motion was seconded and the amendment adopted). Supporters said the bill aims to address the effect of large investors on housing affordability; skeptics raised enforceability and whether the attorney general could identify covered entities. Representative Betsy framed the measure as aligned with proposals from national figures and questioned constitutionality; Senator Winfield and others emphasized the bill’s intent to protect housing stability.
The committee also took up substitute for SB 257 (evictions for cause). Members expressed sharply divided views: some said the bill overreaches into private contract law and could have unintended consequences for landlords and the rental market; others described real constituent harms and urged continued legislative work. The committee moved the bill out as amended.
Several bills were moved to the committee’s consent calendar, and the administrator read the full consent list (nominations and the bills that had been placed on consent). The chair then directed that recorded votes be held until 3:00 p.m. and the committee recessed.
What’s next: Bills placed on consent will be transmitted per committee procedure. The private‑equity housing measure and the eviction bill will proceed through the legislature with issues of enforceability, constitutional risk and scope likely to draw additional amendment or floor debate.
