WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 7209

AN ACT CONCERNING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING HOUSING MATTERS AND THE IMPERMISSIBLE USE OF PRICING ALGORITHMS AND COMPETITORS' SENSITIVE DATA TO SET RENTAL PRICES.

2025 Regular Session

Bans landlords' use of pricing algorithms and competitors' sensitive data to set rents, boosts enforcement and remedies to protect tenants and promote competition.

FILE NO. 753
#affordablehousinglanduseappeals #antitrustact #attorneygeneral #civilactions #complaint #discriminatorypublicaccommodationspractices #electronicgovernmentinformation #fines(penalties) #housingdiscrimination #humanrightsandopportunities #commissionon #investigations #rent #violations
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7209

Summary — HB 7209

Title: AN ACT CONCERNING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING HOUSING MATTERS AND THE IMPERMISSIBLE USE OF PRICING ALGORITHMS AND COMPETITORS' SENSITIVE DATA TO SET RENTAL PRICES
Bill No.: HB 7209 (File No. 753) — Introduced March 10, 2025

Purpose

HB 7209 addresses two related areas: (1) modifications to legal procedures for housing-related proceedings (including affordable housing land use appeals), and (2) prohibiting certain algorithmic pricing practices and the use of competitors’ sensitive data to set rental prices. The bill is framed to protect tenants and competition in rental markets, expand enforcement tools, and clarify remedies for violations.

Key provisions (based on bill title, subjects and legislative metadata)

Note: The bill text itself was not provided. The following summarizes the bill’s apparent scope and likely provisions inferred from the title and subject tags.

  • Legal proceedings involving housing matters

    • Changes to procedural rules or remedies for land use appeals relating to affordable housing.
    • Possible clarification of jurisdiction, timelines, or standards of review in housing-related court or administrative appeals.
    • Interaction or referral provisions involving the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) for alleged housing discrimination claims.

  • Prohibition on impermissible algorithmic pricing and misuse of competitors’ data

    • Makes it unlawful for landlords, property managers, or third‑party vendors to use pricing algorithms or to obtain/use competitors’ “sensitive data” (e.g., confidential rent lists, occupancy rates, proprietary pricing inputs) in ways that facilitate price coordination or suppress competition.
    • Empowers the Attorney General and possibly CHRO or other agencies to investigate violations.
    • Provides civil remedies: injunctions, fines/penalties, and possibly civil actions by affected parties.
    • Could incorporate or rely upon state Antitrust Act principles to treat algorithmic collusion as an unlawful anti‑competitive practice.

Who would be affected

  • Renters and tenant advocacy groups (protections against price manipulation and discrimination).
  • Landlords, property managers, and multifamily property owners (restrictions on pricing tools and data sharing).
  • Software vendors, platforms, and data brokers that provide pricing algorithms or competitive data to housing providers.
  • State enforcement agencies including the Attorney General’s office, CHRO, and courts hearing housing matters.

Enforcement & penalties

  • Subjects listed (Attorney General; fines; civil actions; investigations) indicate enforcement through civil investigations, monetary penalties, and injunctive relief. Exact penalty amounts and private‑right‑of‑action details require review of the bill text.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced: 2025-03-10; Public hearing held 2025-03-17.
  • Joint Favorable Substitute: 2025-04-04.
  • Referred to OLR and OFA: 2025-04-15.
  • Reported out of committee and favorably recommended: 2025-04-23; Tabled for House Calendar (House Calendar #471, File No. 753).

Notes & recommended next steps

  • This summary is based on the bill title, subjects, and legislative actions. For precise legal language, definitions (e.g., “pricing algorithm,” “sensitive data”), penalty amounts, and procedural changes, consult the full bill text and the Office of Legislative Research/Office of Fiscal Analysis reports once available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.