**California Rent Control Bill Stalls in Committee**
A bill proposed in the California Assembly to expand rent control across the state has failed to advance, effectively halting its progress for the current legislative session. The legislation, introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), did not secure enough votes to move forward in the Assembly Judiciary Committee, which Kalra chairs.
Assembly Bill 1157 sought to strengthen tenant protections by modifying key provisions in existing laws. Specifically, the bill aimed to lower the allowable annual rent increase cap to 2% plus inflation, not to exceed 5%. It also proposed extending rent control to currently exempt housing types—such as single-family homes, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, and individually owned townhomes—and removing the 2030 expiration date from the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which was enacted in 2019.
The California Apartment Association (CAA) opposed the legislation, arguing that expanded and stricter rent control would negatively impact housing supply. During past committee hearings, CAA referenced studies from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office and academic sources contending that stringent rent controls can reduce housing availability and discourage new residential developments.
With the bill now stalled in committee, its provisions will not be considered further during this legislative cycle.
