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Anti–Rent Fixing Legislation Fails After Governor’s Veto

By  |  June 10, 2025

A proposed law aimed at curbing deceptive rent price fixing in Nevada was struck down by Governor Joe Lombardo last week, sparking sharp criticism from Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. The measure, Assembly Bill 44 (AB 44), would have expanded the scope of the state’s Unfair Trade Practice Act to include knowingly deceptive practices involving essential goods and services.

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    According to a statement issued by Ford on Monday, the Republican governor’s decision “means fewer protections for your wallet.” Ford contends the veto undermines efforts to hold companies accountable for manipulating prices on items critical to daily life, such as housing, food, and medicine.

    Per a statement from Governor Lombardo, AB 44 represented “a striking case of government overreach.” He argued that the bill’s broad language left it “open to wide interpretation,” potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement and legal uncertainty for businesses.

    AB 44, introduced by Ford during the recent legislative session, defined essential goods and services to include internet access, pharmaceutical products, ground transportation, and notably, housing — an area under increasing scrutiny amid allegations of rent manipulation by corporate landlords. The bill intended to target entities that knowingly conspire to fix prices, a practice critics say has contributed to soaring costs, particularly in the rental market.

    Read more: Federal Lawsuit Targets Alleged Price Fixing in Archery Industry

    During legislative hearings, Ford maintained that the bill would not affect honest businesses and was crafted to strengthen consumer protections without imposing unnecessary burdens on compliant entities. According to a statement released by Ford, the veto “means fewer tools to hold bad corporations accountable,” and ultimately “more power for the people who rig the rules against all of us in the Nevada family.”

    The bill narrowly passed both chambers of the Nevada Legislature earlier this year. In April, it was approved in the Assembly by a 24-18 vote, with three Democrats—Joe Dalia, Duy Nguyen, and Venise Karris—joining Republicans in opposition. In late May, it cleared the Senate with a 14-7 vote, bolstered by a crossover from Republican Senator John Steinbeck.

    A central focus of AB 44 was addressing alleged rent-fixing practices. Across the U.S., including in Nevada, property owners and management companies have faced criticism—and legal action—for using pricing algorithms and rent-setting software to artificially inflate rental prices. Companies like RealPage, which provide such software, have come under investigation by multiple state attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice. While RealPage has denied any wrongdoing, the controversy has intensified calls for stronger oversight of pricing practices in the housing sector.

    Opponents of the bill, particularly within the real estate industry, argued that AB 44’s language was tantamount to imposing rent control, a policy that has long drawn opposition from property owners and developers.

    In a statement Monday, Ford described the governor’s rejection of the bill as “disappointing, but not surprising,” and accused Lombardo of siding “with corporations that cheat and deceive to make a buck.”

    Source: Nevada Current