County staff flags HB2504, which would curtail local tenant‑screening restrictions

County staff alerted commissioners that House Bill 2504 was scheduled for a Feb. 5 hearing and would limit the ability of cities and counties to regulate landlord tenant‑screening criteria. The presenter said the bill would "prohibi[t] cities and counties from restricting the discretion of landlords not to rent residential commercial property on grounds, including prospective tenants receipt of housing assistance or eviction or criminal history" while separately allowing jurisdictions to prohibit discrimination based on receipt of benefits.

Staff presented the bill to ensure commissioners were aware that local land use and tenant protections could be affected and offered to circulate bill text and coordinate testimony if the commission wished to participate.