Kathy Castor (D-FL)
Housing Price Transparency Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Housing Price Transparency Act requires individuals or entities using algorithms to set or recommend rental prices to disclose that an algorithm is being used for monthly rates. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with enforcing these disclosure requirements, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices. States are granted the authority to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents to enforce compliance or seek damages. Additionally, the bill establishes a private right of action for injured individuals to seek injunctions or monetary damages. This legislation aims to increase transparency within the housing rental market regarding automated pricing.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances consumer protection by requiring transparency in algorithmic pricing and providing a private right of action for redress.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates transparency regarding the use of algorithms in setting rental prices.
- Scored +5
Does this make housing cost less?
By increasing rental price transparency, the bill helps consumers navigate the rental market more effectively.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Businesses using algorithmic pricing will face new disclosure requirements and potential litigation risks.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: People looking for rental accommodation will be clearly notified if an algorithm was used to set their monthly rates, as required by Section s 2(a).
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Consumer Protection and Redress: Individuals who are injured by a failure to disclose algorithmic pricing can sue in district court to recover actual monetary losses or receive at least $10,000 for each violation, according to Section 2(d)(1)(B).
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Legal Support for Residents: State attorneys general or officials can bring civil actions to enjoin certain practices, enforce compliance, or obtain damages and restitution for the residents of their state under Section 2(c)(1).
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Recovery of Costs: Individuals who successfully sue under the private right of action can have their court costs and reasonable attorney's fees awarded to them by the court, as stated in Section 2(d)(2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts for people are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates transparency regarding the use of algorithms in setting rental prices. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill grants State Attorneys General the authority to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers the FTC to enforce disclosure requirements for rental pricing algorithms.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased transparency in rental pricing can benefit low-income renters seeking affordable housing. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban residents are more likely to interact with algorithmic pricing in dense rental markets. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides transparency that can aid all rental market participants. Would students be better off under this? — Students often rely on rental markets and benefit from increased price transparency. Would business owners be better off under this? — Businesses using algorithmic pricing will face new disclosure requirements and potential litigation risks.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by requiring transparency in algorithmic pricing and providing a private right of action for redress.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — By increasing rental price transparency, the bill helps consumers navigate the rental market more effectively.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill introduces new regulatory disclosure requirements for entities using pricing algorithms.
- 8/17/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House