SB 2444 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ATTACHMENT AND EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY.

SB 2444 increases the amount of real property (like homes or land) protected from being seized to pay debts. This change directly affects property owners, particularly those with modest home values, by shielding more of their home equity from creditors. The bill raises the exemption threshold, meaning a higher value of property remains protected during legal actions like debt collection. It does not alter other debt collection procedures or create new requirements. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2444 → SB2444_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the metadata and formatting of a legislative text to reflect its first Senate reading (SD1). The substantive policy content regarding the increase in real property exemption amounts for debt protection remains unchanged, though the effective date for applying the new exemption rules was adjusted from January 1, 2027, to May 27, 1976, in the historical context of the amendment.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the real property exemption amount and the definition of 'head of a family' remains the same; only the procedural status and specific historical dates within the text were modified.

TIMELINE

The effective date for amending past claims of exemption was changed from January 1, 2027, to May 27, 1976, aligning the historical reference date with the original enactment of the law.

TECHNICAL

Metadata fields such as sponsor names, bill numbers, and revision dates were updated to reflect the transition from the initial introduction to the first Senate reading.

Minor text formatting adjustments were made to the explanatory paragraph regarding inflation, removing a line break for better readability.

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

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 242) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Awa.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors