SB 2210 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.

SB 2210 allows Hawaii's Civil Rights Commission to prosecute housing discrimination based on a tenant's source of income, such as public benefits, housing vouchers, or disability payments. This directly affects landlords and housing providers who may deny housing or impose unfair terms due to how a tenant pays rent. The bill gives the Commission new authority to take legal action in these cases, rather than relying solely on private lawsuits. It aims to address a specific gap in existing anti-discrimination protections by targeting income source as a prohibited factor. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2026 and is now moving toward final legislative action.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

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What changed between versions

SB2210 → SB2210_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission's authority to enforce laws against source of income discrimination in housing, specifically protecting renters who use housing assistance vouchers. It adds a new requirement for the commission to investigate complaints based on source of income and appropriates funding to hire a new full-time investigator to handle these cases.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission's enforcement powers to include source of income discrimination, which was previously excluded from their jurisdiction.

ENFORCEMENT

The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission is now authorized to receive, investigate, and conciliate complaints regarding source of income discrimination in housing.

FISCAL

The bill appropriates funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position as a housing discrimination investigator.

TIMELINE

While the general act takes effect upon approval, the new investigator position and related funding are scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made to the bill title and summary, including the addition of 'Penalties' and 'Position' to the report title and a clarification of penalty language in the text.

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 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from CPN/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2394) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to CPN/HOU, JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Elefante, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Rhoads.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 9:31AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPN/HOU, JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

6 primary · 3 co-sponsors