Michelson Center for Public Policy Expresses Strong Support for Assembly Bill 1418 (McKinnor)

Dear Chair Holden, 

On behalf of Dr. Gary K. Michelson and the Michelson Center for Public Policy  (MCPP), I am writing to express our strong support for Assembly Bill 1418  (McKinnor). AB 1418 will, among other things, prohibit a local government, as  specified, from imposing a penalty against a resident, owner, tenant, landlord, or other  individual because of contact with a law enforcement agency. 

MCPP is a nonprofit advocacy organization that propels legislative change through  meaningful collaboration with elected officials, government agencies, and civic leaders.  Our aim is to achieve positive outcomes in education and college affordability, equity,  medical research, and animal welfare. Over the years, our work has also focused on  supporting individuals who have been impacted by our criminal justice system and have  put forth significant effort to change the trajectory of their lives. This legislation stands to  positively impact this very population and their families. 

AB 1418 prohibits cities and counties from enacting crime-free housing and nuisance  programs designed to force landlords to evict a tenant should they have contact with  police or be convicted of a felony. These harmful policies disproportionately affect Black  and Latinx communities and conflict with a variety of state and federal laws, including  civil rights law, and tend to deny tenants the ability to directly challenge enforcement  actions. They also use overly broad and vague language that makes it unclear to the  tenant what behavior may lead to their eviction, which raises due process concerns. 

Policies like these contribute to our unhoused population and serve as a barrier to re entry for our formerly incarcerated population, creating an unstable environment for  those who desperately need a stable place to call home. For these reasons, MCPP is  pleased to support AB 1418 and we would ask that you vote “aye” when the measure  comes before you for consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Geoffrey L. Baum 

Executive Director 

Michelson Center for Public Policy