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 Jul 9, 2026

HB 1741: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Deems a county inclusionary mandate as a form of development exaction and treats the mandate as a housing affordability impact fee. Provides parameters for a county's adoption or amendment of an inclusionary mandate for residential or mixed-use development. Establishes additional components for a needs assessment study for a county-imposed inclusionary mandate. Conditions the adoption or amendment of a county inclusionary mandate for residential or mixed-use development on written findings of essential nexus and rough proportionality and a determination of financial feasibility. (CD1)

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits county affordable housing mandates and inclusionary requirements, restricting tools to increase affordable housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1721: RELATING TO HOUSING.

HB 1721 clarifies insurance, financial protection, and certificate of occupancy requirements to streamline expedited housing permits. It directly affects developers and local housing authorities by reducing bureaucratic delays in permit approvals. The bill establishes temporary rules that would expire on June 30, 2031, and take effect July 1, 2030. This is a procedural change focused on accelerating housing construction timelines through simplified permit processes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines permits to accelerate housing construction, advancing development timelines per bill summary and subjects like 'Expedited Permits'.85% 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

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2061: RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: (1) allowing the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prohibit renting, advertising for rent, or using for any other purpose other than owner-occupied residential use a residential condominium unit, by rule, rather than statutorily; (2) exempting the design, development, and construction contracts from procurement requirements, subject to prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics; (3) requiring HCDA to adopt rules to implement an initial sales period during which residential condominium units are offered only to eligible buyers for owner-occupied residential use; (4) authorizing the sale of a residential condominium unit that is not subject to an income restriction and was not sold within a certain period to be sold to other buyers, as determined by rule by HCDA, without an owner-occupancy requirement; (5) requiring HCDA to adopt rules that require at least sixty per cent of residential condominium units to be income restricted; and (6) requiring HCDA to establish rules to require buyback pricing similar to other state agencies' existing pricing formulas. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 60% owner-occupied units in redevelopment sites for 10 years, strengthening affordable housing program by preventing rental speculation and ensuring long-term affordability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics, which protects workers' wages and employment standards in construction contracts.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

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

Track

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 20, 2026

SB 2347: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

SB 2347 requires the Office of Consumer Protection to regularly publish clear, multilingual notices explaining tenant rights under the residential landlord-tenant code. This bill directly affects renters by ensuring they receive accessible information about their legal protections, particularly in communities with limited English proficiency. Key provisions mandate that these notices be published periodically and made available in multiple languages to improve tenant awareness. The law would take effect on July 1, 2050, but is currently pending committee review.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates landlords provide tenants with multilingual rights notices, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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