California Rent Gouging Laws

[Jim T.]

In late 2017, Governor declared a few counties in California "Disaster Areas" and CPC 396 comes into play forbidding rent increases exceeding 10% for the 30 days after the declaration. According to CPC 396, it can be extended up to 6 months. Well, Governor Newsom extended it at the end of 2018 for another year and just extended it for yet another year (until December 2020). 

The wording of this ordinance seems to say the rent can't be raised above 10% above where it wss before the disaster was called. It seems CA is using this as some sort of rent control by prohibiting increases that total over 10% for the entire 2+ years (and counting) years. 

Is my assumption correct?