SB 157 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO ANTITRUST.

Summary

Prohibits the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii's rental market. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition. Establishes fines and penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB157_SD1 → SB157_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill version (SD2) refines the original antitrust legislation by clarifying the definition of a 'coordinator' to explicitly include rental property owners who perform coordinating functions for their own benefit, and by expanding the prohibited activities to include restrictions on lease terms and occupancy levels. The penalty structure for non-natural persons was also adjusted to remove bracketed text, finalizing the fine amount at $1,000,000.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to cover rental property owners acting as their own coordinators, and the prohibited conduct now explicitly includes restrictions on lease terms and occupancy levels in addition to pricing.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'coordinator' was modified to explicitly include rental property owners who perform coordinating functions for their own benefit, closing a potential loophole.

REQUIREMENT

The prohibited activities were modified to explicitly include restrictions on lease terms and ideal occupancy levels, broadening the scope beyond just pricing.

ENFORCEMENT

The penalty section was modified to remove bracketed text, finalizing the fine for non-natural persons at $1,000,000.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and text cleanup changes were made throughout the document, including removing placeholder text and standardizing section numbering.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPC, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 104) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:05AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 167) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Richards, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPN, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors