Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2378: RELATING TO HOUSING.

SB 2378 clarifies insurance requirements for single-family and multi-family housing projects to enable faster county permitting. Developers would need to meet specific, clear insurance standards to qualify for expedited review of construction permits. The bill directly affects housing developers and builders seeking quicker approvals for new projects or renovations. It replaces vague insurance rules with defined requirements to streamline the permitting process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines permitting for housing projects via clear insurance standards, enabling faster approvals and development - directly advancing housing construction.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2806: RELATING TO REAL ESTATE.

Prohibits real estate brokers from listing or offering the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of prospective buyers, real estate brokers, or real estate salespersons, with limited exceptions. Deems the practice an unfair or deceptive trade or practice subject to penalties and grounds for discipline. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discriminatory real estate listing practices, preventing housing discrimination and advancing fair access to housing.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2423: RELATING TO ZONING.

Prohibits the counties from imposing certain lot requirements on lots zoned for housing on parcels of land located within the urban district for purposes of subdivision, development, or the issuance of a building permit, with certain exemptions. Allows the counties to establish a petition process for neighborhoods, subdivisions, or other geographically contiguous areas to establish or retain certain requirements or specifications. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers (lot/dwelling requirements) in urban districts, enabling more housing development and potentially increasing affordability by facilitating construction.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 3327: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority, when planning and developing housing, to plan for complete communities that include various aspects supporting quality of life. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates HCDA to plan 'complete communities' with quality-of-life aspects, advancing inclusive housing development and tenant-supportive planning.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2068: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, on how to maximize housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force study, directly allocating budget resources to advance housing policy.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Affordable Housing Task Force to maximize development in transit zones, appropriates funds, and mandates report - directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit-oriented development zones to maximize housing near transit, promoting sustainable transportation integration through TOD strategy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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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

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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

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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

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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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