Requires the Department Education, in coordination with the Department of Health, to develop a fireworks education and marketing program for implementation in public schools, including charter schools, and distribution to private schools.
Establishes the Insurance Affordability Assistance Pilot Program within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to assist eligible homeowners with sudden increases in property insurance premiums. Sunsets 6/30/2028.
Requires that the fees for attorneys retained by a condominium association be paid from an association's funds or reserves, except for collection of delinquent common dues payments from owners. Limits the total and final legal fees to twenty-five per cent of the original debt amount. Requires attorneys retained by a condominium association to confine their communications to the condominium board, except when the attorneys must request and require materials and responses directly from owners for each matter. Prohibits attorneys retained by a condominium association from billing unit owners directly. Specifies the contents of an attorney's billing statement. Requires that a notice of default and intention to foreclose served on a unit owner affords the unit owner the opportunity to respond within thirty days after service of the notice.
Requires board members of a condominium association to certify the receipt and review of certain documents and complete a board training and education course approved by an accredited third party organization, to be selected by the Real Estate Commission.
Maddy summaryHB 1273 removes a tax deduction that real estate investment trusts (REITs) currently use when they distribute dividends to investors. This change means REITs will pay taxes on a larger portion of their income, as they can no longer subtract these dividend payments from their taxable earnings. The bill applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, affecting REITs operating in the state. This is a direct change to how REITs calculate their state tax liability, increasing their taxable income.
Establishes the Small Housing Provider Grant Program under Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide grants to eligible property owners of multi-family buildings for renovations, repairs, and addressing hazardous and unsafe living conditions. Appropriates funds.
Amends the definition of "farming operation" by including customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and excluding concentrated animal feeding operations and business entities with unclear or non-transparent ownership or beneficiary structures. Establishes additional criteria for farming operations to meet in order to be protected against nuisance claims. Clarifies the purpose and intent of the Hawaii Right to Farm Act.
Authorizes the cultivation of vegetable gardens on properties within planned community associations and condominiums. Prohibits planned community associations and condominiums from prohibiting or restricting the cultivation of vegetable gardens via their association documents.
Maddy summaryHB 1306 creates the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program through Hawaii's Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It directly affects Hawaii seniors aged 62 and older who own homes by allowing them to convert home equity into mortgage payments without selling their property. The program provides a state-administered option for eligible homeowners to access funds tied to their home equity while retaining ownership. This establishes a new policy mechanism under state housing finance authority, distinct from federal programs.
Expands programming and training for the comprehensive offender re-entry program under the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase inmate marketability and workforce readiness. Appropriates funds.
