Housing

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 1740: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Repeals the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and repeals the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Limits a qualified resident from owning a majority interest in no more than one property suitable for dwelling purposes, but requiring the disposal of such property within two years. Amends exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules for certain housing projects developed by the Corporation that satisfy certain conditions, including requirements related to employment, owner-occupancy, and deed restrictions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves barriers for qualified residents to hold majority land interest and eliminates financial viability requirements, advancing affordable housing access under HHFDC programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1870: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement near community services (schools, health care, shelters), promoting trust and access to essential services while aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing ...85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates schools as protected community locations to limit immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education and protecting students/staff from disruption in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing for vulnerable populations in protected community locations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near protected community locations (schools, health facilities), safeguarding immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2309: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920.

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, to include children of a sibling as qualifying relatives of lessees for the purposes of lease transfer and lease successorship, in the same manner currently allowed for spouses, children, grandchildren, and siblings. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands eligible successors for Hawaiian Homestead leases, strengthening Native Hawaiian housing access and preventing displacement under a dedicated affordable housing program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1718: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Limits mixed-use developments to transit-oriented developments. Repeals the sunset date of Act 45, SLH 2024, thereby making permanent the authority of the counties to share in facilitating the development, construction, financing, refinancing, or other provision of mixed-use developments, including low- and moderate-income housing projects, and issue county bonds before 7/1/2033 for this purpose. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals sunset date, making county authority for low/moderate-income housing development permanent and enabling bond issuance for housing projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens transit-oriented development by making county authority permanent and allowing mixed-use developments along mass transit systems, promoting sustainable transportation.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 184: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws apply to decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The bill directs the commission to examine how these technologies are used in areas like hiring, housing, and credit, and to identify any legal gaps or challenges in addressing potential discrimination. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, which could lead to new rules or laws if needed. This measure does not change existing laws immediately but initiates an official review of how civil rights protections work in the age of automated decision-making.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill examines anti-discrimination laws for AI in housing, aiming to prevent algorithmic discrimination and strengthen tenant protections.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill examines AI discrimination risks in hiring and employment, strengthening worker protections against algorithmic bias in workplace decisions85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by examining how AI systems may cause discrimination, ensuring technology serves all citizens fairly under civil rights protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 98: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.

This bill requests the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs that meet safety and building codes. The pattern book would include various housing types such as accessory dwelling units and low- to mid-rise buildings, featuring culturally appropriate and climate-responsive design elements. By using these pre-reviewed designs, developers could access streamlined permitting processes to reduce costs and construction delays. The resolution also calls for a design competition to source innovative plans and requires collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders. Once completed, the pattern book would be made publicly available to help accelerate the production of safe and affordable housing across Oahu.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill includes climate-responsive design elements and promotes efficient housing that reduces environmental impact through streamlined permitting and sustainable construction practices.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes affordable housing by streamlining permits and reducing regulatory barriers for safe, affordable homes through pre-approved designs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2405: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with funding to address housing shortages, directly advancing affordable housing access for agricultural workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 85: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TRANSFER PARCELS THAT MAKE UP THE EAST KAPOLEI TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND URGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT.

This bill urges state agencies to reorganize the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project by transferring land parcels currently owned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It also requests that the Housing Corporation partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to handle non-housing aspects like commercial development and infrastructure improvements. The resolution aims to align agency responsibilities with their core functions to facilitate the project's mixed-use development, which includes affordable housing, retail, and transit facilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill transfers land parcels to housing finance corporation to facilitate affordable housing development in East Kapolei project.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes transit-oriented development and infrastructure improvements through land transfers and partnerships, directly supporting transportation goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1700: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Includes housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables expedited permits for disability-accessible housing projects, advancing inclusive housing development and addressing access needs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 26: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, to assess the viability of housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force study, directly allocating state budget resources toward housing development assessment.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to study development on public lands, appropriates funds for study to advance housing access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit-oriented development zones, promoting housing integration with public transit infrastructure to advance transportation accessibility and usage.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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