Researcher: JSB Page 1 3/10/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1266
AN ACT REQUIRING THE POSTING OF FAIR RENT COMMISSION
BYLAWS AND THAT THE HEARINGS OF SUCH COMMISSIONS BE
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
SUMMARY
This bill requires any municipality (i.e. town, city, or borough) that
creates a fair rent commission (FRC) to post on its website a publicly
accessible copy of the FRC’s adopted bylaws.
The bill also specifies that FRC hearings must be open to the public.
By law, FRCs, like other local public agencies, are subject to the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA). Except for executive sessions, FOIA
generally requires “meetings” (which are defined to include hearings)
to be open to the public (CGS §§ 1-200 & 1-225).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Fair Rent Commissions
The law authorizes municipalities (and requires those with a
population of at least 25,000) to establish fair rent commissions to (1)
control and eliminate excessive (i.e. harsh and unconscionable) rental
charges and (2) enforce landlord-tenant statutes prohibiting landlord
retaliation and establishing eviction protections for certain protected
tenants (CGS § 7-148b et seq.).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Housing Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 18 Nay 0 (02/20/2025)