Authorizes certain counties to establish a rental unit price ceiling ordinance that prohibits a landlord from increasing the rental price of a dwelling unit at a rate that exceeds the percentage calculated and published by the county based on changes in the applicable Consumer Price Index. Beginning 8/1/2025, requires certain counties to annually calculate and publish the maximum rate at which a landlord may increase the rental price of a dwelling unit during the immediately succeeding twelve-month period. Establishes a nonrefundable Long-Term Residential Lease Tax Credit for taxpayers who own and lease a dwelling unit located in a county that has adopted a rental unit price ceiling ordinance to a person as the person's principal residence in the State pursuant to a lease agreement of a term of one year or longer. Allows the tax credit to be carried forward for up to three taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
SB 878 extends the expiration date for Hawaii's State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly residents) from its original deadline to June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects low-income seniors who rely on the program for housing assistance. The key provision is simply extending the program's operational period without altering eligibility, funding, or benefit levels. The change ensures continued support for vulnerable elderly residents without requiring new legislative action.
Prohibits a landlord from rejecting a rental application solely due to an applicant's inability to provide a recent paycheck. Authorizes the landlord to require the applicant to provide evidence dated within ninety days of the application demonstrating the applicant has sufficient unearned income or liquid assets to cover the rental costs. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
Prohibits the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii's rental market. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition. Establishes fines and penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Establishes an excise tax on certain taxpayers who own excess single-family residences for failure to sell those residences. Establishes and allocates excise tax revenues to the Housing Downpayment Trust Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to establish a comprehensive action plan under the "Yes In My Back Yard" Working Group to establish a local housing market in Hawaii. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
SB 1088 provides financial rebates to developers who install "EV-ready" parking stalls in new affordable housing construction. These stalls are pre-wired and prepared for future electric vehicle charging stations, though chargers themselves are not required at installation. The bill directly affects developers building new affordable housing units, making EV infrastructure part of the initial construction. It aims to integrate EV compatibility into affordable housing from the start, without mandating immediate charger installation.
Authorizes a county to reduce the number of housing units that may be built within any portion of the county only if the county increases the number of housing units that may be built elsewhere in the county, such that there is no net loss in residential capacity. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)
Establishes a working group within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes to ascertain the State's available water resources and water system source capacity and to streamline well permit approval processes to further plan for the development of affordable housing. Requires the working group to inventory all available water resources statewide and identify sources of aquifer replenishment in relation to affordable housing development. Requires an interim and final report to the Legislature. (SD2)
Establishes what constitutes transit-oriented development and incentivizes development in county-designated transit-oriented development areas or zones. Prioritizes the allocation of a minimum percentage of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for certain mixed-income rental housing projects or units. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)