Property Owners in Dispossessory Proceedings (SB 439). Allows agent representation in dispossessory proceedings before a magistrate court when the property is owned by an individual. Eviction Records Restriction Act (HB 1149). Seals eviction records (a) from nonpayment during a public health emergency, and (b) when the plaintiff does not prevail, when the parties reach a settlement, or when three years have lapsed since dispossession caused by nonpayment. Revise Applicability of Stalking (SB 197). Allows a person to seek a temporary proactive order against someone they share a primary residence with. Reducing Street Homelessness Act (SB 535). SB 535 provides state funding for projects to address homelessness, including "individual unit shelters" defined as shelters that can house 1-3 individuals, provide sleeping accommodations, access to electricity, provide shower and bathroom facilities, and are limited to no more than 6 months per person. Source of Income (HB 1458). Adds “source of income” to the classes protected by the state’s fair housing laws. This would obligate landlords to accept voucher payments. “LEAF” Act (HB 1301). Prohibits local governments from banning gasoline-powered leaf blowers or other landscape maintenance equipment. Credit Repair Services Organization (SB 371). Allows for-profit credit repair services. Criminal Gang Activity (HB 1134). Provides the attorney general with concurrent jurisdiction with prosecutors for certain criminal gang-related crimes across the state. The attorney general may also employ peace officers for investigative purposes. Crime and Safety Notices to Tenants (HB 965). Requires the landlord with more than 50 units to provide tenants and prospective tenants a summary every six months of certain crimes that occurred on or in the property. Failure to comply is a violation of the Fair Business Practice Act. Evictions During the Pandemic (HB 894). Prohibits a prospective tenant from being refused a rental agreement based upon a previous eviction during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Crime Information Center (SB 257). Provides for criminal history record information restrictions for persons cited with or convicted of certain criminal offenses. Duty of Owner Specific to Firearms (HB 1091). Revises the duty of an owner or occupier of land to an invitee when the owner or occupier prohibits the carrying or possession of weapons. Elevator Inspections (HB 994). Increases the civil penalty for failure to inspect elevators from $500 to $2,500 per elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, manlift, or moving walk not inspected. Fine increase again, up to $5,000 per unit, if inspections are further delayed. Low Income Housing Tax Credits (HR 756). Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide that qualified low-income building projects may be classified as a separate class of property for ad valorem tax purposes, and different rates, methods, and assessments dates may be provided for such building projects. Legislation likely stalled for the year. Income Tax Deduction for Rental Charges (HB 1305). Creates a state income tax deduction of 20% of primary resident rental charges. This is similar to HB 979, which creates a tax credit for low-income individuals who lease certain dwellings. Local Regulatory Fees (HB 302). Requires local governments to approximate the actual cost of regulatory services they provide. The measure then mandates the local government use those fees exclusively for that regulatory activity and not general operations. Annexation and Residential Tenants (SB 354). Requires all residential tenants occupying the to-be-annexed property to be notified of impending annexation. The notification requirement is the responsibility of the property owner and must be sent via certified mail or statutory overnight delivery. The owner must retain proof of notification. Annexation Reform (HB 924). Makes several changes to the annexation process, including allowing local school systems, counties, and municipal governing authorities to become parties to bond validation hearings. Prohibit Deannexation (SB 348). Prohibits the deannexation of territory from an existing municipal corporation to a newly incorporated municipality.
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