Senate Judiciary Committee Approves SB 939 (Weiner)

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves SB 939 (Weiner)

 

The Senate Judiciary Committee met this morning to consider SB 939 (Weiner), a bill that provides a moratorium on evictions for the commercial tenants during the COVID-19 state of emergency. It provides tenants 12 months to repay rent payments. It also allows tenants to terminate their lease with no repercussions and eliminates the rights of the commercial property owners to have any legal recourse. The Committee voted to approve SB 939 with the amendments proposed by the Committee. The Chamber testified its opposition to the bill this morning. The Chamber worked closely with our business coalition organizations to oppose the legislation. Read the coalition letter that was submitted.

 

The business community, including commercial property owners, are experiencing high volatility and their economic future is bleak as a result of the pandemic. This legislative proposal should be comprehensive and also provide relief to commercial property owners as state and local orders are mandating rental and eviction protections for tenants. Businesses require maximum flexibility and should be allowed to retain their contractual rights, especially during this crisis.

 

The bill is headed to the Appropriations Committee. The Chamber will continue to advocate on behalf of the business community.