California proposal would extend rent-control caps to periods of U.S. military involvement
A California Senate bill would allow the governor to trigger a 10% rent-increase limit whenever the United States enters a war, while a Minnesota court ruled that an activist may call himself a “professional engineer” under the First Amendment.
California’s Senate is considering a bill that would let the governor impose the state’s 10% price-gouging ceiling on rents whenever Congress declares war, the U.S. joins a UN peacekeeping mission, or the nation engages in active military operations. The proposal limits the emergency declaration to the president or governor and requires the state attorney general to establish a connection between the conflict and housing price spikes; the caps could be extended only once, for a maximum of 60 days.
Landlord groups warn the broad definition of “war” could create compliance uncertainty and expose owners to criminal penalties, adding a third, sporadic layer to an already complex rent-control framework. Meanwhile, a Minnesota federal judge ruled in favor of Charles Marohn, president of Strong Towns, finding that his use of the term “engineer” in public advocacy is protected speech, overturning a sanction from the state licensing board.
The judgment aligns with prior rulings in Oregon and North Carolina that safeguard unlicensed advocates’ First Amendment rights. Together, the bill and the court decision highlight ongoing tensions between regulatory authority and individual freedoms in housing and professional labeling.
Why it matters
The bill could limit rent hikes during U.S. wars, affecting millions of tenants, while the court case protects free speech for unlicensed professionals.
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