Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies. Appropriates funds to establish a position in the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 3) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to study whether using mezzanine loans could help increase housing production in the state. Mezzanine loans are a financing tool that could allow housing developers to secure funding with less required equity, potentially lowering costs and accelerating project timelines. The study aims to evaluate if this approach could address Hawaii's severe housing shortage and improve the efficiency of state housing funds. DBEDT must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. (Note: This is a study request, not a law implementing mezzanine loans.)

Reduces condominium associations' cash flow plans from a thirty-year projection to a twenty-five-year projection of the association's future income and expenses to fully fund its replacement reserves requirements each year during that twenty-five-year period.

Clarifies that condominium associations may apply any payment from or on behalf of an owner to amounts due by the owner under a money judgment in favor of the condominium association.

By July 1, 2027, requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers and keep records of the training. By January 1, 2028, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to post signage regarding human trafficking awareness. By October 1, 2027, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking.

Prohibits surveillance pricing, or differential pricing based on information collected with electronic surveillance technology. Deems surveillance pricing an unfair and deceptive practice. Provides certain exemptions.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security tax rates and establishes a refundable carbon cashback tax credit to offset increases for most taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received.

Maddy summarySB 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.