The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7140, aims to enhance the proceedings of fair rent commissions by establishing clearer guidelines and requirements for their operations. It mandates that towns, cities, or boroughs with populations of 25,000 or more must create a fair rent commission to investigate and address complaints regarding rental charges, excluding seasonal rentals. The bill introduces new legal language that defines "seasonal basis" and "rental charge," and empowers the commission to conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and retain legal counsel. Additionally, it stipulates that any hearing held by the commission will be treated as a contested case, requiring a comprehensive record of proceedings to ensure transparency and facilitate appeals.

The bill also sets a deadline for the creation of these commissions, requiring municipalities to adopt the necessary ordinances by July 1, 2023, and to notify the Commissioner of Housing within thirty days of adoption. Furthermore, it allows for the formation of joint fair rent commissions among smaller towns or cities that are not mandated to create their own. The overall purpose of the bill is to ensure that individuals aggrieved by commission orders have a meaningful opportunity to appeal, thereby strengthening tenant protections and promoting fair rental practices.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-148b