Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 456: RELATING TO BED BUGS.

SB 456 requires landlords to keep rental properties free of bed bugs throughout a tenant's lease. This directly affects renters, who gain a right to pest-free housing, and landlords, who must maintain this standard. The bill mandates ongoing prevention and treatment, not just initial inspections, ensuring units remain infestation-free during tenancy. It does not specify penalties or funding mechanisms, focusing solely on the landlord's duty to maintain habitable conditions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates landlords maintain bed bug-free rentals throughout tenancy, directly protecting tenant rights to habitable housing. Aligns with tenant protection indicators in housing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 490: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Program to provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Kamaaina Homes Program funding counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions, directly advancing affordable housing preservation through new funding mechanism.95% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 153: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires, for tenancies greater than 90 days, a landlord to notify a tenant of any intent to raise the rent for any subsequent rental agreement or any intent to terminate a rental agreement 60 days before the expiration of the original rental agreement. Requires 90 day's notice for a landlord or tenant to terminate tenancies of three years or more and 60 days' notice to terminate tenancies of less than three years, with certain exceptions. Increases the amount of notice required to terminate tenancies that are less than month-to-month.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tenant notice periods for rent changes/termination, strengthening protections against sudden housing disruptions per Residential Landlord-tenant Code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1646: 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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents rental discrimination based on source of income, a key tenant protection, and provides attorney's fees to encourage enforcement, directly supporting affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 1740: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Repeals the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and repeals the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Limits a qualified resident from owning a majority interest in no more than one property suitable for dwelling purposes, but requiring the disposal of such property within two years. Amends exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules for certain housing projects developed by the Corporation that satisfy certain conditions, including requirements related to employment, owner-occupancy, and deed restrictions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves barriers for qualified residents to hold majority land interest and eliminates financial viability requirements, advancing affordable housing access under HHFDC programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development Renters

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2787: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

SB 2787 authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to provide loans or grants to eligible individuals for purchasing rental housing units. This directly affects prospective landlords or property owners seeking to enter the rental market. The bill enables the fund - which typically recycles repaid loans - to finance these purchases, expanding its use beyond its current scope. This policy change aims to increase the supply of rental housing by supporting new property acquisitions through low-barrier financing. The bill is currently under review by the Housing committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes loans/grants for purchasing rental units to increase housing supply, directly funding housing development and expanding affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Landlords

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1188: RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program to support teacher retention at public and charter schools classified as hard-to-staff. Requires reports to the Legislature. Amends the purpose and uses of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for teacher housing stipends, directly funding a workforce program under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes stipend program for teacher retention in hard-to-staff schools, directly supporting educator workforce stability through funding and program creation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds teacher housing stipends via new program and amends revolving fund, directly supporting affordable housing for educators.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds teacher housing stipends to improve retention at hard-to-staff schools, directly supporting workforce employment conditions through housing assistance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Affordable Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 498: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for agricultural workforce housing program, directly advancing state budget allocation for housing needs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with funding to address housing shortage for agricultural workers, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses agricultural workforce housing shortages via working group and funding, improving living conditions and safety for workers, a key employment condition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2514: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases conveyance tax rates to fund Homeless Services and Affordable Homeownership Revolving Funds, directly allocating tax revenue to essential public programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund and Homeless Services Special Fund via conveyance tax allocations, directly funding housing initiatives and homelessness services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Property Taxes

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