Tech bills of the week: Overseeing algorithm-set rental prices; and halting federal overreach in data center construction
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ByAlexandra Kelley,
Staff Correspondent, Nextgov/FCW
August 21, 2026 03:33 PM ET
Legislation introduced this week seeks to police the use of algorithmic price-setting for home rentals and rein in how the federal government influences new data center construction.
Monitoring algorithms used in setting rent
A new bill seeks to compel any entity creating rental rates to reveal when algorithms are involved in setting prices for home rentals by leveraging the authorities of the Federal Trade Commission.
The Housing Price Transparency Act, introduced by Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., on Monday, requires firms and organizations overseeing home rental prices to report their use of pricing algorithms that aid in developing, determining and setting housing and rental costs.
The bill would apply existing restrictions stipulated in the Federal Trade Commission Act to algorithmic rental price setting. Violations of the bill, or failure...
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