Bill 8-26 rent algorithms

Rockville's mayor supported the ban, noting roughly 2,000 Rockville apartments are managed by companies named in antitrust suits, and asked for definitional tweaks.

A Rockville city councilmember spoke personally in support, calling algorithmic pricing collusion and citing the $112/month cost to renters.

The Montgomery County Civic Federation president supported the bill, noting at least ten landlords sued in DC operate here and urging enactment.

An attorney testified the bill is overbroad and raises First Amendment concerns because it sweeps in public databases like Zillow and even spreadsheets.

A Rockville city councilmember and renter herself described her building's 10-12% algorithmic rent increases and urged passage.

A CASA senior staff attorney supported the bill and urged a broader definition of price coordination and clearer landlord definitions.

The Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors opposed the bill as written, warning it could capture MLS data and routine market analysis, and asked for it to be heavily amended or rejected.

The Consumer Federation of America's AI director rebutted opposition claims and urged speedy passage, noting over a dozen jurisdictions have passed similar bans.

A tenant association leader described seniors on fixed incomes facing large algorithm-driven rent increases and urged passage.

A Rockville tenant association president described families moving yearly over rent spikes and said algorithmic pricing is price-fixing, not economics.

RealPage's senior vice president defended the software, saying it only suggests rents, is accepted less than half the time, and that no regulator has banned public data.

A Gaithersburg tenant organizer described residents deciding between staying in their homes of decades or leaving the county due to rent increases.

A retired real estate fund manager supported the bill while asking for adjustments to allow legitimate algorithms and public data.

The Women's Democratic Club representative urged passage, citing the White House estimate of at least $70/month in artificially inflated rents.