Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2524: MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Housing and Land Management and Department of Design and Construction of the City and County of Honolulu as grants-in-aid to comply with the requirements of Act 206, SLH 2017, and Act 210, SLH 2018. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds to Honolulu's Housing and Land Management department to comply with prior housing laws (Act 206/210), directly advancing housing programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1662: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents landlords from charging fees for criminal background checks, reducing financial barriers for housing access of individuals with criminal records.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks when tenants provide certified copies, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections in housing screening.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1610: RELATING TO OHANA ZONES.

Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a program within the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exempt ohana zones projects from general excise taxes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts housing projects from general excise taxes (tax relief) and appropriates funds for the Ohana Zones Program, supporting housing initiatives through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Ohana Zones Program under homelessness/housing office, exempts projects from taxes, appropriates funds - directly advances affordable housing development and homelessness solutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 40: RELATING TO STATE FINANCES.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to utilize revenue bonds when securing a line of credit or other instrument of indebtedness for the Bond Volume Cap Recycling Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes HHFDC to use revenue bonds for housing finance program, enabling funding for housing development and affordability initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 492: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045, at the same rates, if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019, or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges for housing infrastructure costs. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends county tax surcharges until 2045, maintaining local revenue streams without rate changes or new tax burdens.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals restrictions on using county surcharges for housing infrastructure, enabling funding for housing development and infrastructure projects.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 378: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Establishes a working group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to identify existing mixed-use developments in Maui County that could be acquired by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for use as affordable housing and commercial rental leases. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes working group to identify mixed-use properties for affordable housing acquisition, directly expanding access to affordable units.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1133: RELATING TO HOUSING.

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)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes rental price ceilings tied to CPI, directly protecting tenants from excessive rent hikes and advancing affordable housing affordability through mandatory county-level rent control.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 878: RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly housing assistance) until 2028, maintaining funding and support for low-income seniors without cuts or restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 942: RELATING TO RENTAL APPLICATIONS.

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)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits income source discrimination, enabling access for tenants with non-paycheck income like savings or investments.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 157: RELATING TO ANTITRUST.

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)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic price-setting in rentals, preventing coordinated rent hikes and protecting tenant affordability in housing market.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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