A 5-year holding period would slash Ellis Act evictions Tenant Groups Urge Chiu to Sponsor Ellis Act Reform; January 22 Deadline Looms The campaign for Ellis Act reform has gained enormous support across California. But the campaign still needs a legislator to sponsor the bill prior to Friday’s bill deadline. In the past, San Francisco legislators have filled that role. John Burton and Mark Leno led all major Ellis Act reform campaigns over the past two decades. That’s why San Francisco tenant and housing groups are urging Assemblymember David Chiu to lead the fight this year. Chiu heads the Assembly Housing committee. His assembly district has the most Ellis Act evictions of any in the state.