A Prince George’s County Council committee on Monday amended and advanced county bill CB 17–2025, legislation that would require landlords to provide relocation assistance and a first right of reoccupancy when rental units are declared unfit for human habitation.

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee voted 3–0 to approve a set of on-the-floor amendments and to move the bill forward as amended. The amendments, offered by Vice Chair Oriotta and adopted by the committee, add exemptions for displacements caused by natural disasters and for small landlords (the committee discussed matching a five-unit threshold used elsewhere in county rules), and require landlords to retain records of payments and relocation offers for a three- to five‑year period. The clerk recorded aye votes from Chair DeNova, Council member Olson and Vice Chair Riata; the motion carried 3–0.

Why it matters: the bill would shift some short‑term housing costs from county emergency rental assistance programs to housing providers for tenants displaced by condemnations, and would codify tenants’ first right to return after rehabilitation. Sponsors and tenant advocates said the measure fills what they see as a gap that leaves displaced renters without immediate housing and little practical recourse.

Key details and debate
- Scope of payments. Shailene Miller Y of the county Budget and Policy team described the bill’s payment scheme to the committee: “the landlord would be required to return the security deposit with required interest, pay the tenant pro rata rent for the remainder of the month, and pay the greater of 3 months of fair market value for rent or 3 months of the rent under the current lease.” Miller Y also noted the draft includes provisions for temporary relocation housing and payments for immediate relocation costs and requires the landlord to preserve the tenant’s lease terms when the tenant returns.
- Sponsor rationale. Vice Chair Oriotta, the bill sponsor, told the committee the draft was prompted by constituent cases in District 7 where tenants were displaced for months without rehousing or the right to return. “What we don’t want is for units to be…remodeled, and then they move in new tenants at a higher rate and don’t even offer those tenants to move back into their apartments,” Oriotta said.
- Agency concerns. DPIE and Department of Social Services staff raised operational and fiscal concerns. A county administration representative said DSS currently uses emergency rental assistance funds to help displaced households and that shifting responsibility could affect limited DSS resources. DPIE raised compliance and workflow concerns about a provision in the draft that would require DPIE to accept proof (copies of checks or money orders) that landlords provided relocation payments. A DPIE representative told the committee, “DPIE will not be a repository between a landlord and a tenant,” and estimated a software upgrade (the county’s Momentum permitting system) would cost about $75,000 to add the upload function and unit-level tracking the draft appears to require.
- Exemption debate. Housing providers’ representatives asked for an exemption where displacement is caused by events outside the landlord’s control — for example, large natural disasters or tenant‑caused fires. Hugo Cantu of the Apartments and Office Building Association testified the Montgomery County exemption is broader than their members can accept and urged similar language to avoid pushing up insurance and operating costs. Martin Michaels, staff attorney at CASA, urged the committee not to include that exemption: he said tenants often cannot cover relocation costs through renters’ insurance and that holding landlords responsible for immediate rehousing protects renters.
- Open questions. DPIE and DSS asked how the draft would operate if repairs exceed 30 days and whether the council‑determined “approved allowance” for noncomparable replacement housing could create the appearance of the council setting compensation amounts in disputes. DPIE recommended further conversations with the sponsor if the council advances the bill.

Formal actions recorded
- Amendment motion (summary): Add exemptions for natural disasters and for small landlords (matching the county’s five‑unit threshold used in other rules); require landlords to retain relocation/payment records for 3–5 years; preserve the first right of reoccupancy (sponsor language). Outcome: approved by roll call, 3–0.
- Motion to move the bill as amended (transcript: “go February on the bill as amended”): Motion by Vice Chair Oriotta, seconded by Council member Olson; roll call recorded aye votes from Chair DeNova, Council member Olson and Vice Chair Riata. Outcome: motion carries 3–0.

What remained unresolved: agencies requested drafting clarifications and operational conversations. DPIE objected to being made the repository for payment proof, and DSS asked for additional clarification about interaction with emergency assistance and eligibility. Committee members indicated willingness to pursue technical fixes in subsequent drafts.