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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 391 FILED ON: 1/8/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1526
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Tara T. Hong
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing a rent stabilization commission.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Tara T. Hong18th Middlesex1/8/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 391 FILED ON: 1/8/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1526
By Representative Hong of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1526) of Tara T.
Hong for an investigation by a special commission relative to rent stabilization. Housing.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act establishing a rent stabilization commission.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. (a) There shall be a special commission established to study the feasibility,
2impact and design of a rent stabilization law for the commonwealth. The commission shall
3consist of 11 members representing a diverse range of perspectives, including tenant advocacy
4groups, landlords, housing policy experts and municipal government officials. The members
5shall include: (i) the secretary of the executive office of housing and livable communities or the
6secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair; (ii) 2 members appointed by the governor; (iii) 2
7members from a housing nonprofit located in the commonwealth; (iv) 1 member from a public
8housing development organization; (v) 1 member from a private housing development
9organization; (vi) 3 members from communities in the commonwealth affected by rent
10stabilization; and (vii) 1 member with a background in real estate.
11 (b) The study shall include, but not be limited to: 2 of 2
12 (i) assessments on the impact of rent increases on housing affordability across the
13commonwealth, including focusing on high-demand areas such as Boston, Lowell and
14Cambridge and other gateway cities;
15 (ii) evaluations on existing rent stabilization models in other states and municipalities,
16including their successes, challenges and applicability to the commonwealth; and
17 (iii) analysis on the economic implications of rent stabilization for tenants, landlords and
18the broader housing market in the commonwealth; and
19 (iv) comprehensive data gathered on rental trends, vacancy rates, tenant displacement and
20housing supply to inform policy recommendations.
21 (c) The commission shall hold public hearings on rent stabilization to ensure community
22voices are reflected and incorporated into the study.
23 (d) The department shall prepare a report on its activities and on any findings and
24recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the: (i) governor; (ii) chairs of the joint
25committee on the housing; (iii) chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means;
26and (iv) offices of the house and senate clerk not later than December 31, 2026.
27 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect 90 days after its passage.