Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2209: RELATING TO RENTAL DISCRIMINATION.

Allows the court to award attorneys' fees to a prevailing party in an action relating to discriminatory practices in a rental transaction based on source of income. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prevents rental discrimination based on income source, strengthening tenant protections and advancing fair housing practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2227: RELATING TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to award monthly rent supplement payments on behalf of qualified tenants under the State Rent Supplement Program prioritizing certain tenants, including kupuna. Authorizes the HPHA to enter into memoranda of agreement for rental supplement payments with the counties or specialized nonprofit organizations. Amends provisions relating to the State Rent Supplement Program. Establishes the State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to assess a transaction tax for each applicable recording in the Office of the Assistant Registrar of the Land Court or the Bureau of Conveyances to be deposited into the State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund. Repeals the existing separate State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna. Establishes four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) permanent public housing specialist II positions and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent public housing specialist IV position within the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund to allocate state appropriations for tenant rental assistance, prioritizing kupuna. Directly funds a public service program through dedicated budgeting.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes State Rent Supplement Program with prioritized funding for kupuna tenants and creates dedicated fund, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2422: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Pro-Housing Score Program to evaluate each county's performance in expanding housing opportunities and reducing regulatory barriers. Requires the counties to publish their respective pro-housing scores online and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to publish certain related information and data on a public dashboard. Establishes criteria for deeming a county noncompliant. Establishes builder's remedies for certain housing projects in transit-oriented development areas. Specifies that if a county is deemed noncompliant, the planning director or an equivalent county officer responsible for land use approvals shall be responsible for approving or denying certain affordable housing development applications. Establishes procedures for certain transit-oriented development housing project appeals. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Pro-Housing Score Program to expand housing opportunities, reduce regulatory barriers, and establish builder's remedies in transit-oriented development areas, directly advancing housing development.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables housing projects in transit-oriented development areas, directly promoting transportation infrastructure integration through TOD policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2191: RELATING TO LIMITED-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes an organizational, tax, and regulatory framework for limited-profit housing associations. Establishes the Limited-Profit Housing Council within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to oversee limited-profit housing associations. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates regulatory framework for limited-profit housing associations, a model designed to increase affordable housing access through profit caps and oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2180: RELATING TO DEPOSITS OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

Requires the Director of Finance to consider, before the selection of a depository for the state treasury, the beneficial effects to the State of using depositories within the State, including but not limited to lending at favorable terms for the creation of certain affordable housing units. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires depository selection to consider lending for affordable housing units, directly advancing housing development through state treasury incentives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2918: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for a Community Action Center in Chinatown, contingent on city matching, directly funding a public service initiative.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds HCDA Community Action Center in Chinatown via appropriation, advancing housing development and tenant services through dedicated funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2702: RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Establishes a limited right of first refusal for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands with respect to county real property tax sales. Requires advance notice from the counties to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of qualifying properties. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill grants DHHL right of first refusal for tax-delinquent properties, enabling acquisition of land for Hawaiian Home Lands housing, supporting affordable housing for Native Hawaiians.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2210: RELATING TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.

SB 2210 allows Hawaii's Civil Rights Commission to prosecute housing discrimination based on a tenant's source of income, such as public benefits, housing vouchers, or disability payments. This directly affects landlords and housing providers who may deny housing or impose unfair terms due to how a tenant pays rent. The bill gives the Commission new authority to take legal action in these cases, rather than relying solely on private lawsuits. It aims to address a specific gap in existing anti-discrimination protections by targeting income source as a prohibited factor. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2026 and is now moving toward final legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination based on income source (e.g., vouchers), strengthening tenant protections and expanding enforcement authority.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2071: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies that the dwelling units eligible for the Rent-to-Own Program shall be units that are for sale in fee simple or leasehold on non-ceded state or county land under a lease with an initial term of not less than 99 years. Replaces the five-year period during which the sales price of a rent-to-own dwelling unit shall remain fixed with an option period established by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends fixed sales price period for Rent-to-Own Program from 5 to 10 years, stabilizing affordability and strengthening access to homeownership under housing program.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2784: RELATING TO TAXATION.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies. Appropriates funds to establish a position in the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies tax rate to rental car companies and appropriates funds to Department of Taxation and DHHL, funding essential programs per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates funds to DHHL to address beneficiary waiting list, directly funding housing development for Native Hawaiian homesteaders.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track