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

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3276: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop and implement a plan to reduce the State's total homeless population by at least twenty-five per cent by 1/1/2028, measured against the 2026 point-in-time count. Requires any funding request by the Office after fiscal year 2026-2027 to be based on the plan. Requires the appointment of the Coordinator on Homelessness to be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services for the funding of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons Program under the Ohana Zones Program, and for the expenses of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to conduct a survey on statewide homelessness. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for homelessness programs, increasing government spending on essential services per budget allocation requirements.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical respite program and homeless outreach, directly expanding healthcare access for vulnerable populations through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds medical respite, homeless outreach, and statewide homelessness programs under Ohana Zones, directly addressing housing instability through targeted funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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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

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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

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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

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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

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2957: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Tenant Displacement Working Group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address tenant displacement and relocation in the State. Requires the Tenant Displacement 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 payments, strengthening tenant protections and preventing displacement in housing projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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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

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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

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2495: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Requires the Office of Consumer Protection to submit an annual report to the Legislature regarding actions taken in response to potential violations of the Residential-Landlord Tenant Code. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies enforcement of tenant dispute resolution under Residential Landlord-Tenant Code, strengthening tenant protections within housing policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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