Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1306: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1618 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 204).

This bill establishes a new revolving loan fund to help Hawaii homeowners afford the high costs of converting outdated cesspools into approved wastewater systems or connecting to sewer lines. Administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the program will offer low-interest or forgivable loans, prioritizing low- and moderate-income households, to assist with these necessary upgrades. The law also directs the Department of Health to transfer money from an existing water pollution control fund to help start and maintain this new lending program. By creating a dedicated financing source, the legislation aims to accelerate the cleanup of cesspools that currently threaten public health and the environment.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1305: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2218 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 203).

This bill authorizes the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into formal community co-management agreements with local nonprofit organizations to better steward public trust resources. It establishes specific qualifications for eligible community groups and allows these agreements to cover land and natural resources without requiring a public auction. The legislation aims to support long-term partnerships with place-based communities, such as those in Haena and Kipahulu, by providing a legal framework that honors traditional Native Hawaiian management practices.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1308: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2001 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 206).

This bill establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District in Hawaii to revitalize the Waiakea peninsula, an area facing issues like blight and poor infrastructure. The legislation creates a special fund to provide consistent financial resources for the state agency responsible for managing the district, ensuring long-term maintenance and improvement. Under the new district, development must prioritize preserving Hawaiian cultural and historic sites while encouraging diverse land uses and private investment. The defined boundaries include lands near Wailoa River, Kalanianaole Street, and Reeds Bay, as well as Moku Ola, or Coconut Island. Ultimately, the act aims to transform the area into a center for cultural enrichment, public facilities, and sustainable economic growth.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1317: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2385 HD3 SD1 CD1 (ACT 215).

This bill, signed into law as Act 215, shifts the authority to approve general excise tax exemptions for affordable housing projects from individual counties to the state's Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Beginning January 1, 2027, the state agency will certify these tax incentives for developments that utilize county housing programs, aiming to better offset rising construction costs and interest rates. The legislation also grants counties expanded powers to develop, finance, and construct low- and moderate-income housing, including the ability to make loans, guarantee mortgages, and acquire land, while prohibiting counties from issuing state general obligation bonds for such projects. These changes are designed to leverage both state and local resources to address Hawaii's ongoing housing shortage by streamlining the approval process for affordable rental housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1314: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2060 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 212).

This bill, signed into law as Act 212, establishes a new Rental Housing Revolving Fund to support the development, construction, and preservation of affordable rental housing in Hawaii. The fund will be administered by the state corporation and can be financed through legislative appropriations, conveyance taxes, private donations, loan repayments, and interest. It provides various forms of financial assistance, including loans, equity investments, and credit enhancement, with a specific priority given to projects that include a significant number of very low-income units. The legislation also defines a "mixed-income rental project" as a development offering units to households at different income levels, primarily those earning at or below 140% of the area median income.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1309: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2401 SD1 HD2 CD2 (ACT 207).

This bill establishes a framework for creating regional shoreline mitigation districts to address coastal erosion and hazards threatening Hawaii's beaches and infrastructure. It empowers the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to identify these districts and facilitate collaborative planning among state and county agencies, property owners, and community groups. The legislation requires the development of adaptation pathways plans that assess risks to public resources and private structures while exploring various solutions, such as erosion mitigation or managed retreat. Importantly, designating a district is for planning purposes only and does not approve any specific projects or shoreline changes.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1310: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1802 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 208).

This bill officially establishes a legal framework for conservation banks in Hawaii, which are designated sites used to restore or protect habitats for threatened and endangered species. The law authorizes public and private entities to operate these banks to provide long-term environmental protection and requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to oversee their applications and performance. By defining specific terms like "credits" and outlining rules for maintaining these sites, the legislation aims to make environmental mitigation projects more predictable and efficient for developers who need to offset impacts to wildlife.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1307: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1920 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 205).

This message informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB1920 into law on July 8, 2026. The bill amends state tax statutes to allow taxpayers to claim a low-income housing tax credit regardless of their eligibility for the federal version of the same credit. It also permits partnerships and limited liability companies to transfer or sell these tax credits to other taxpayers, even if those recipients do not own an interest in the qualifying building. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and includes specific provisions regarding how the credit can be allocated and transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1312: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1740 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 210).

This bill amends the rules for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address housing shortages by updating how "qualified residents" are defined and what restrictions apply to affordable housing units. It removes certain financial screening requirements that duplicate standard lender checks and allows deed-restricted units to be rented long-term after an initial occupancy period, rather than requiring perpetual owner-occupancy. The law also limits a qualified resident to owning a majority interest in no more than one dwelling property at a time, requiring the sale of any additional property within two years. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens, prevent vacant investment holdings, and ensure that affordable housing remains available to local residents without unnecessarily restricting household mobility.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2001: RELATING TO THE BANYAN DRIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District within the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of HCDA as it relates to the District. Amends the composition of HCDA to include representatives of the District, Chairperson of the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency, and a lineal descendant of the Waiakea Ahupuaa. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 1618: RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS.

Establishes a Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, to provide financial assistance, including low-interest or forgivable loans, to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools. Appropriates funds for the establishment and hiring of a program management position and for the purposes of the Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2060: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund 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 to give preference to certain projects with perpetual affordability commitments, that are revenue neutral, and to applicants with a demonstrated history of early repayment to the RHRF. Authorizes HHFDC to use moneys in the RHRF that have been reserved or awarded by HHFDC for specific projects but have not yet been encumbered to fund other rental housing projects subject to certain conditions. Authorizes HHFDC to secure a line of credit or other instrument of indebtedness to provide liquidity for the RHRF under certain conditions. Repeals 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes