SB 115 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO ATTACHMENT AND EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY.

SB 115 increases the exemption amount for real property that can be protected from attachment or execution by creditors. This directly affects property owners facing debt collection actions, as it allows them to shield more property value from seizure. The key provision raises the threshold for which property is exempt, meaning owners retain more assets when creditors seek to collect debts. The bill was recently recommended for passage by the Judiciary Committee with amendments. (Based solely on the official abstract and committee actions provided.)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2025 Last action Feb 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB115 → SB115_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill increases the real property exemption amount from attachment or execution from $30,000/$20,000 to $90,000/$90,000, and significantly expands the definition of 'head of a family' to include unmarried siblings and other relatives, not just married couples or parents. The changes aim to provide greater financial protection for homeowners facing debt collection, particularly low-income families and individuals over 65.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility for the real property exemption to include unmarried siblings and other relatives under the 'head of a family' definition, and raises the dollar threshold for property protection.

DEFINITION

Expanded 'head of a family' definition to include unmarried siblings and other relatives who have reached majority age, in addition to married couples and parents.

THRESHOLDS

Increased real property exemption amounts from $30,000/$20,000 to $90,000/$90,000 to account for inflation since 1978.

TIMELINE

Maintained the effective date of July 1, 2025 for the new exemption amounts and expanded definitions.

SCOPE

Changed the exemption for non-head-of-family individuals from $20,000 to $90,000 to provide greater protection.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 63) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 9, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

5 primary · 1 co-sponsor