REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI ECONOMIC RESEARCH ORGANIZATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE USE OF TAXATION AND EMINENT DOMAIN ON THE PRICE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING IN THE STATE TO ADDRESS THE CONCENTRATION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AMONG OWNERS OF VACANT AND SURPLUS HOUSING AND INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR PROPERTY OWNERS.

SCR 156 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to study how taxation and eminent domain might affect housing prices and availability in Hawaii. The study would specifically examine the impact of these measures on addressing the concentration of residential property ownership among owners of vacant/surplus housing (properties not used as primary residences or unoccupied >6 months) and institutional investors. The resolution cites Hawaii's housing crisis, including high prices, significant out-of-state ownership (20% statewide), and institutional investors owning nearly a third of homes on Maui, as context for the study. This resolution does not enact policy but seeks data to inform potential future legislative action.