SB 1293 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Summary

Provides the amount of recovery for tenants who prevail in civil suits for a landlord's violation of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code concerning a dwelling unit within an area that was a federally declared disaster area as of 8/8/2023. Provides for reasonable attorneys' fees and recovery for the cost of the suit. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1293 → SB1293_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was updated from a House version to a Senate version, changing the author and template details. The most significant policy change is the effective date of the new tenant protection laws, which was moved from immediate approval to July 1, 2050. The bill also clarifies that the new recovery amounts apply specifically to landlords of dwelling units located in federally declared disaster areas as of August 8, 2023.

Scope change

The bill's applicability remains focused on landlords in federally declared disaster areas as of August 8, 2023, but the effective date of enforcement was delayed to July 1, 2050.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new laws was changed from immediate enactment upon approval to July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated to include 'SD1' (Senate Draft 1), and the author name was changed from Joseph Brown to Jane Lee.

Metadata regarding the bill template was updated from an 'HB template' to an 'SD Template' with a new revision number.

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

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 441) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-25 9:35AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPN, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors