House Bill 3767 is a bit of a zombie. It may look dead. It’s likely coming back.

The bill would allow cities to implement their own rent control policies. Under the bill, the local rent control could be stronger than what is already in place in Oregon.

A  legislative committee held a meeting on the bill on Monday, even though it is dead this session. There’s interest in the Legislature in bringing it back, perhaps next session.

H.B. 3767 would repeal the prohibition on local rent control, which is 91.225 in the Oregon revised statutes. The reasoning for Oregon’s prohibition on local rent control is embedded in that statute: “The Legislative Assembly also finds that the imposition of general restrictions on housing rents will disrupt an orderly housing market, increase deferred maintenance of existing housing stock, lead to abandonment of existing rental units and create a property tax shift from rental-owned to owner-occupied housing.”

What has changed?

Maybe the makeup of the Oregon Legislature. And almost certainly Oregon’s housing crisis has become more acute. Some people believe Oregon is not going to build its way out of a housing crisis.

“I love that we are building more supply so that we can bring down the cost,” said Rep. Farrah Chaichi, D-Beaverton and Aloha, the sponsor of the bill. “But if people can’t stay in their homes, we’re just building to keep building.”

She’s right, of course. The problem is what it would mean if many cities in Oregon passed strict rent controls.

Would it keep rent down?

Most certainly.

Would it lead to declining investment in rental housing and a lack of maintenance on existing housing?

That also may be true.

Is that worth it?

Tell your legislator what you think.