The Arlington County Board voted unanimously Nov. 15 to adopt its 2026 general assembly legislative package, adding language that commits the county to support measures to limit extreme yearly rent increases.

Board members debated and then amended section G‑3 of the package to "strengthen tenant rights by providing additional recourse, including local enforcement for inadequate health and safety conditions and access to legal resources during eviction proceedings, support measures to keep housing costs affordable, including anti rent gouging protections," a motion moved by JD Spain and seconded by Vice Chair Matt Ferrante. Chair Takis Carantones then called a final vote; the motion passed 4–0.

The amendment followed a series of public comments urging stronger tenant protections. Larissa Zehrer of the Legal Aid Justice Center told the board that anti-rent-gouging policies are an "immediate solution" to mitigate evictions and displacement, and asked the board to signal support for enabling state legislation so localities could adopt such protections.

County staff had previously revised the packet to emphasize collaborative, local approaches to affordable-housing set‑asides and to add positions on energy affordability, campaign-finance reform, and protections for voting rights and for people affected by federal workforce disruptions. Brian Esteba, legislative staff, said the edits clarified existing intentions and added new language about supporting workers affected by federal actions.

Board members framed the adoption as a strategic step to shape Arlington's priorities during the upcoming Richmond session. Susan Cunningham, who moved final adoption, said the package balances strategic restraint with clear local priorities on affordability, trees and environmental policy, and tenant protections.

Next steps: County staff will take the adopted positions to the Commonwealth’s General Assembly and coordinate with the county’s legislative delegation to advocate for the items in the packet.