Passing a Law

TWO WAYS TO PASS A LAW

Can rent ordinances be approved by the voters over the objection of elected representations? Yes/No/Maybe

The correct answer is yes. As a law (also called a statute), a rent ordinance is passed in one of two ways: (1) by a vote of the elected representatives (i.e. a City Council or County Board of Supervisors); or (2) by an initiative measure which is passed by a vote of the local citizens. 

POLITICS

Do local officials or voters need to be convinced that a rent ordinance is necessary? Yes/No/Maybe

The correct answer is Yes. In either case, politics play a key role, and hard work and organization is required if mobilehome owners are to achieve their goal. Rent ordinances do not just happen. Someone, be it the local officials or the local voters, needs to be convinced that an ordinance is necessary. This process of persuasion is dealt with in detail in the following posts. But first, it is necessary to understand the process required to obtain passage of a rent ordinance.

The process of ordinance enactment by local government can best be described as one of education, deliberation and, finally, enactment.

Source: The GSMOL Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance Handbook, Second Edition: Guidelines for Drafting and Enacting a Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

Prepared by: Bruce Stanton, Esq., Corporate Counsel

Images courtesy of taoty and Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.net.