The California Legislature has returned from its summer recess, and hearings have resumed on the remaining bills. Lawmakers have just over one month to complete their work for the year. Here’s a look at some of the bills the California Apartment Association is still working on, as well as those that will not advance this year.

Two bills still alive that CAA continues to oppose

Security deposits – AB 12 (D-Haney – San Francisco): This bill would cap security deposits at one month’s rent, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. A majority of the Legislature has expressed its support for AB 12, arguing that it will help tenants access housing that they otherwise cannot afford due to the current “high” security deposits allowed under existing law.  

Just cause eviction – penalties – SB 567 (D-Durazo – Los Angeles): Among other things, SB 567 would amend the state’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) by changing the just-cause eviction rules and imposing penalties against rental property owners who fail to follow the law. Initially, the bill would have capped rents at the consumer price index or 5%, whichever is lower. That language was removed from the bill due to opposition from CAA.

Bills not moving forward this year

Below is a list of some bills that CAA has opposed and which are not moving forward this year.

First right to purchase – AB 919 (D-Kalra – San Jose): AB 919 would require that before selling any residential rental property on the open market, the owner must first notify each tenant and each “qualified organization” registered with the Department of Housing and Community Development. The owner would then have to give them the first right to purchase the rental building, a process that would take over eight months, with no guarantees that the tenant or qualified organization can afford to buy the housing.

Secretly recording rental property owners – AB 1086 (D-McCarty – Sacramento): AB 1086 would allow an investigator for a qualified fair housing enforcement organization, as defined, to secretly record a conservation with a rental property owner or their agent without their consent.

Statewide database – termination notices and rent increases – SB 395 (D-Wahab – Fremont): SB 395 would require the state to create a searchable statewide database. Landlords would need to file a copy of any notice of termination or notice of rent increase within 10 days of serving the notice on the tenant.

Criminal background checks – SB 460 (D-Wahab – Fremont): SB 460 would prohibit rental housing providers and their agents from inquiring about an applicant’s criminal history.

Rent control – SB 466 (D-Wahab – Fremont) – As introduced, SB 466 would have allowed local governments to impose their own form of strict rent control on residential rental property.

This is a partial list of the priority bills CAA has worked to stop this year. For a list of all bills supported and opposed by CAA, visit the association’s bill chart for 2023.