HB 224 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Summary

Establishes a procedure for immediately removing an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises with assistance from law enforcement. Provides that an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises is civilly liable for unpaid utility bills. Provides that a person who trespasses in or upon a dwelling or premises and intentionally or knowingly damages property in an amount exceeding $999 commits a felony of criminal property damage in the second degree. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop, publish, and make available a complaint form to remove unlawful occupants of residential dwellings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Feb 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB224 → HB224_HD1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill adds new provisions to Hawaii's property laws to allow law enforcement to immediately remove unlawful occupants from residential dwellings under specific conditions. It establishes a formal complaint process, defines who qualifies for removal assistance, clarifies liability for property damage, and sets new thresholds for criminal property damage related to trespassing.

Scope change

The bill expands law enforcement authority to assist property owners in removing unlawful occupants from residential dwellings, while adding protections against wrongful removal and clarifying liability for utility bills and property damage.

ENFORCEMENT

New process allowing property owners to request immediate law enforcement removal of unlawful occupants from residential dwellings if specific conditions are met.

New misdemeanor offense for instigating wrongful removal through fraudulent complaints or knowingly including false information.

ELIGIBILITY

Removal assistance is limited to cases where the property is a residential dwelling, not open to the public, and the occupant is not a tenant, family member, or involved in ongoing litigation with the owner.

REQUIREMENT

Requires owners to submit a verified complaint form developed by the Attorney General's office to request law enforcement assistance.

Criminal property damage threshold for trespassers in dwellings lowered from $1,500 to $999, making it easier to prosecute property damage by unlawful occupants.

FISCAL

Law enforcement officers receive fees for service similar to serving eviction writs, and owners may pay for officers to stand by while changing locks and removing property.

DEFINITION

Unlawful occupants are now civilly liable for unpaid utility bills incurred during their occupancy.

TIMELINE

Bill includes a placeholder effective date of July 1, 3000, which appears to be a drafting error requiring correction.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 251) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPC, JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

13 primary · 0 co-sponsors