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Good news so far. SB1439 introduced by Senator Mark Leno failed on the Senate floor Wednesday, May 28. The measure was supported by 18 state senators and 21 votes were needed to pass. Leno can submit the measure for another vote but his chances for passing are slim. The measure proposed giving the city of San Francisco the right to limit the Ellis Act – primarily requiring owning a property for at least 5 years before using the Act.

SPOSFI also helped defeat AB2405 in April. This was Assemblyman Tom Ammiano's bill that would have required that tenant-contested Ellis evictions be heard as general civil actions (not through the unlawful detainer process), leaving the actions languishing in the court system for years, even as some property owners continued their financial bleeding. This would have conflicted with the intent of state law to resolve all eviction cases swiftly.

SPOSFI in conjunction with The California Apartment Association (CAA), the SF Apartment Association (SFAA) and other groups worked together to defeat these two bills. SPOSFI sent a large delegation to Sacramento (expenses paid by SFAA - thank you). SPOSFI also sent out 720 letters to our state legislators. In addition, a lot of you, our members, sent letters and emails protesting these two measures. Our thanks to all the groups and our members who worked so hard to defeat both of these misguided measures.

We cannot let down our guard but we do need to remind ourselves that our voices are heard when we protest. Thanks to all of you.