Commentary California’s moratorium against evicting renters claiming a hardship caused by COVID-19—was extended to Sept. 30, despite the state covering the rent tab for those behind on payments. The moratorium was previously set to expire June 30. State legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom, all members of the Democratic Party, on June 25 announced they had reached agreement in their three-way negotiations (among the governor, state senate and state assembly) regarding the moratorium. Legislators on June 28 published the revisions, which presumably incorporate the changes agreed to with the governor. If passed by both chambers of the California legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill 832 would “enact the COVID-19 Rental Housing Recovery Act.” The legislation protects tenants claiming to be under pandemic-related financial distress from eviction until Sept. 30. Landlords are prohibited from seeking evictions for any reason, and cannot turn off utilities or report …