S.B. No. 281 Summary

• Establishes a reimbursement program for landlords who were prevented from evicting tenants due to COVID-19-related federal eviction moratoriums, administered by the director of development.

• Landlords may apply for reimbursement of unpaid rent, utilities, penalties, interest, late fees, and other amounts owed by tenants during periods when evictions were prohibited, with applications due by January 31 following the calendar year in question.

• Maximum reimbursement is $12,000 per residential premises per calendar year, or the actual unpaid amount owed by the tenant, whichever is less, reduced by any payments received from the tenant.

• Director must review applications within 30 days and may approve or deny based on eligibility; denied applications may be appealed through administrative procedures established by the director.

• Reimbursements funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 or American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; landlords must repay the director if they later receive payment from tenants for the same obligation, and making false statements to obtain reimbursement is a fifth-degree felony.