Housing (Housing Finance)

Expands the time period within which a county legislative body must approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove housing projects the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation develops or assists under a government assistance program from forty-five days to ninety days.

Clarifies that, for tax credits issued after 7/1/2026, a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, until 12/31/2032. (CD1)

Adds new preferences for state and county employees to the eligibility criteria for housing development programs administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Clarifies the Corporation's authority to adopt rules and determine the order of applicant preferences.

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)

Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, instead of the counties, to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Sunsets 7/1/2031. (CD1)

Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund (RURF) to be used to provide any and all forms of financing for the development, pre-development, construction, acquisition, preservation, and substantial rehabilitation of rental housing units. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to give preference to certain projects with perpetual affordability commitments and to applicants with a demonstrated history of early repayment to the RHRF. Authorizes HHFDC, with the approval of the Director of Finance, to transfer moneys between the RHRF and its subaccounts without further legislative authorization. Requires certain RHRF loans applied for or awarded after 12/31/2026 to be subject to review and renegotiation when any mortgage debt to which the loan is subordinate is refinanced or retired. Authorizes HHFDC to use reserved but unencumbered funds for short‑term projects with certain conditions. Authorizes HHFDC to secure lines of credit, standby bond purchase agreements, or other credit enhancement facilities to provide liquidity for the RHRF in certain circumstances. Authorizes the Director of Finance to transfer moneys from the RHRF to its Mixed-Income Subaccount for FY 2026‑2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Allocates revenues from conveyance tax collections. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund infrastructure programs in county-designated transit-oriented development areas that meet minimum standards of transit-supportive density. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax revenues to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund.

Clarifies that a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any person. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, from 12/31/2027 to 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Requires certain landlords to provide a specified notice to a tenant regarding the tenant's potential right to purchase the property, under certain conditions. Allows tenants, families, local governments, affordable housing nonprofits, and community land trusts forty-five days to match or beat the best bona fide offer to buy an eligible affordable housing property. Establishes conveyance tax rates for the sale of eligible affordable housing properties.