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 · 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 · 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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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 1776: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the Office of Consumer Protection to publish an accessible, multilingual notice of tenant rights online. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to provide tenant rights notices, strengthening tenant protections per housing policy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1325: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires developers developing an affordable housing project under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to assist certain tenants who are subject to displacement or eviction by the proposed project by: granting those tenants the right of first refusal of a comparable unit in the housing project or establishing a fund to provide relocation benefits and offer assistance; providing information, either directly or through a contracted service, on how to obtain assistance and exercise the right of first refusal; and establishing procedures to track and maintain communication with those tenants. Establishes consequences for a developer's noncompliance. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates relocation assistance and right of first refusal for displaced tenants in affordable housing projects, strengthening tenant protections under HHFDC programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1777: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Tenant Protection Working Group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address certain tenant protection issues in the State. Requires the Tenant Protection Working Group to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires developers to provide displaced tenants with right of first offer and replacement housing payments, directly protecting tenants from eviction during housing projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1593: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires, for any affordable rental housing development project that receives financing or any financial assistance from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, that the Corporation require the housing development lease or occupancy agreement to allow residents to own or otherwise maintain one or more common household pets. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires pet-inclusive leases in affordable housing projects, strengthening tenant rights and aligning with tenant protection policies for subsidized housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2188: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires landlords or landlord's agents to accept comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports, if made available by an applicant, and prohibits application fees in such cases. Establishes remedies for refusing to accept those reports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to accept reusable tenant screening reports and ban application fees when provided, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under residential landlord-tenant law.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 224: RELATING TO PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Establishes a procedure for immediately removing an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises with assistance from law enforcement. Provides that an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises is civilly liable for unpaid utility bills. Provides that a person who trespasses in or upon a dwelling or premises and intentionally or knowingly damages property in an amount exceeding $999 commits a felony of criminal property damage in the second degree. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop, publish, and make available a complaint form to remove unlawful occupants of residential dwellings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal penalties by making property damage over $999 a felony, increasing criminalization rather than reforming justice.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prioritizes property owner rights by enabling swift removal of occupants and imposing penalties on trespassers, weakening tenant protections without addressing affordable housing or tenant safeguards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1433: RELATING TO EVICTION MEDIATION.

Beginning 2/5/2026, extends the period for a notice of termination of a rental agreement; requires landlords to engage in mediation and delay filing an action for summary possession if a tenant schedules mediation; and requires landlords to provide specific information in the 10‑calendar-day notice to tenants. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Repeals 2/4/2027. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlord mediation before eviction, delays summary possession actions, and mandates tenant information - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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