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

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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

Sub-Topics Building Codes Land Use Zoning

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signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 2270: RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Amends the Downpayment Loan Assistance Program by: removing the prohibition on combined loan-to-value ratios; clarifying the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's authority to establish interest rates and allow payment waivers and interest forgiveness; authorizing financial institutions, mortgage lenders, and other loan originators to originate downpayment loans; and reducing the borrower's required personal contribution toward the downpayment. Authorizes borrowers to use a portion of a downpayment loan to pay for closing costs, prepaids, and reserves for the purchase of the residential property for which the downpayment loan is provided. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends downpayment program to enhance assistance for low/moderate-income first-time homebuyers, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1870: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement near community services (schools, health care, shelters), promoting trust and access to essential services while aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing ...85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates schools as protected community locations to limit immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education and protecting students/staff from disruption in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing for vulnerable populations in protected community locations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near protected community locations (schools, health facilities), safeguarding immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2221: 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 recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits double-charging for criminal background checks in housing, reducing barriers for tenants with records and aligning with criminal justice reform to lower recidivism through housing access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background checks/credit reports, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections in rental housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2227: RELATING TO EVICTION RECORDS.

Limits public access to summary possession records on the Judiciary's publicly accessible electronic databases unless and until a writ of possession is issued.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits public access to eviction records before final judgment, preventing premature stigma against tenants and aligning with tenant protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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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

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

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signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2309: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920.

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, to include children of a sibling as qualifying relatives of lessees for the purposes of lease transfer and lease successorship, in the same manner currently allowed for spouses, children, grandchildren, and siblings. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands eligible successors for Hawaiian Homestead leases, strengthening Native Hawaiian housing access and preventing displacement under a dedicated affordable housing program.90% confidence

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

SB 2866: RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

This bill removes the expiration date for the State Rent Supplement Program, which provides financial assistance to help elderly residents afford housing. By eliminating the sunset clause, the legislation ensures that current and future eligible seniors can continue to receive rent subsidies without the program ending automatically. The measure directly affects older adults who rely on this state-funded aid and the agencies responsible for administering the program. If passed, the change allows the program to operate indefinitely rather than requiring renewal or replacement at a specific future date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals sunset for Kupuna rent supplement program and appropriates funds to HPHA, directly funding affordable housing for elderly residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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

Sub-Topics Landlords

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