HB 431 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Summary

Part I: Establishes requirements for kauhale projects, including reporting requirements by the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions (OHHS). Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the kauhale initiative. Appropriates funds for the continued operation of the kauhale initiative. Part II: Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a permanent program within OHHS. Appropriates funds to DHS for the continued implementation of the Ohana Zones Pilot Program. Part III: Requires OHHS to submit a report every four months to the Legislature detailing the expenditure of funds appropriated toward the kauhale and ohana zones initiatives and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. Part IV: Changes references to the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to "Coordinator on Homelessness". Specifies that the Coordinator on Homelessness shall report directly to the Director of Human Services. (CD1)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Jul 2025

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed Jul 9, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB431_SD1 → HB431_SD2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill version (SD2) significantly restructures the legislative text by removing extensive background information about homelessness statistics and previous housing programs, replacing them with a clean bill template. The substantive funding provisions remain largely similar but are now organized into three distinct parts with different responsible agencies. The most notable substantive change is the addition of a requirement that all kauhale projects must be connected to public utilities (water, sewer, electricity) and an authorization for monthly rents of no more than 30% of area median income.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing detailed historical context and background findings, focusing instead on direct appropriations and operational requirements. The applicability of kauhale projects was modified to include a new utility connection requirement.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that all kauhale projects must be connected to public utilities including water, sewer, and electricity

Authorized monthly rents for kauhale projects of no more than 30% of area median income level

TECHNICAL

Removed extensive background text including homelessness statistics, previous legislative acts, and detailed descriptions of ohana zones and kauhale initiatives

Changed bill designation from S.D. 1 to S.D. 2 and reorganized appropriations into three separate sections with different responsible agencies

TIMELINE

Added effective date of July 1, 3000 (likely a placeholder or error in the draft)

HB431_CD1 → HB431_HD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly restructures the Kauhale housing initiative by replacing detailed operational requirements with a broader legislative finding statement, establishing a new Supportive Housing Special Fund, and shifting funding authority to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The changes expand the program's scope to include special needs populations and create new financing mechanisms for permanent supportive housing.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from specific operational requirements for Kauhale projects to a broader framework that includes special needs populations and establishes a dedicated funding mechanism through a new special fund.

FISCAL

Created a new Supportive Housing Special Fund administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to finance development, construction, and operation of supportive housing projects.

Established a new 1.0 FTE housing finance specialist position within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to administer the special fund.

REQUIREMENT

Removed specific operational requirements including utility connection mandates, rent caps, bidding requirements for projects over $1 million, community consultation processes, and recoupment provisions for misused funds.

DEFINITION

Added legislative findings describing the Kauhale initiative's evolution to include temporary shelter, medical respite, mobile outreach, and long-term supportive housing for special needs populations.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced detailed audit and reporting requirements with a general mandate for the corporation to submit annual reports to the legislature.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility criteria to explicitly include individuals with substance use disorders, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and those with disabilities as target populations for supportive housing.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from fiscal year 2025-2026 to June 29, 3000 (likely a placeholder or error in the draft).

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none).

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 189).

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 189) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Takenouchi, Olds; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Evslin, Pierick.

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 5:00PM in conference room 329.

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 1:45PM in conference room 329.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-24-25 1:30PM in conference room 329.

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-23-25 1:30PM in conference room 329.

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-21-25 1:30PM in conference room 329.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Amended

House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Introduced

Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 573) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C., Fevella.

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-28-25 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1287) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Aquino, Kanuha, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-12-25 1:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS/HOU, WAM.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 102).

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka voting no (2) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 765) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Kila; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Muraoka; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HSG.

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Chun, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to HSH, HSG, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

41 primary · 0 co-sponsors