Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2192: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes a county to reduce the aggregate zoned residential capacity within the county only if the county offsets that reduction by increasing zoned residential capacity elsewhere in the county, such that there is no net loss in residential capacity in the county. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents net reduction in housing capacity by requiring counties to offset local reductions with elsewhere increases, maintaining residential development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2424: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Removes the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and removes the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Amends exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules for certain housing projects developed by the Corporation that satisfy certain conditions, including requirements related to employment, owner-occupancy, and deed restrictions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves barriers for qualified residents in HHFDC projects, lowering access requirements to increase affordable housing availability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2981: RELATING TO LAND USE.

This bill prohibits counties from requiring minimum parking spaces for certain developments starting July 1, 2027. The law applies to local governments that currently enforce parking mandates for new construction projects. The restriction remains in effect until July 1, 3000, giving it a very long-term duration. The measure aims to give developers more flexibility in designing parking solutions without being forced to meet specific minimum requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves parking mandates that increase development costs, enabling more housing units and potentially lowering costs for residents by facilitating denser urban development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1593: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires, for any affordable rental housing development project that receives financing or any financial assistance from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, that the Corporation require the housing development lease or occupancy agreement to allow residents to own or otherwise maintain one or more common household pets. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires pet-inclusive leases in affordable housing projects, strengthening tenant rights and aligning with tenant protection policies for subsidized housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2444: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 2444 increases the state tax credit available to low-income household renters, raising the amount from $50 to $100 for each tax exemption claimed by the taxpayer. This change directly affects renters who qualify as low-income and claim tax exemptions, providing them with greater financial relief through their state tax return. The key provision is the specific dollar amount increase per exemption, making the credit more substantial for eligible households. The bill does not alter eligibility criteria or introduce new administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for low-income renters, providing direct fiscal relief through higher state tax credit per exemption.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credit for low-income renters from $50 to $100, directly enhancing housing affordability and financial relief for eligible households.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1756: RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

HB 1756 updates the Individual Housing Account Program statute to adjust how down-payment costs are calculated, ensuring the program reflects current housing market prices. This change directly affects individuals using the program to save for home purchases by aligning eligibility and contribution requirements with present-day housing costs. The bill modifies the statutory formula used to determine down-payment assistance amounts, removing outdated cost references to better serve participants. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill maintains pre-tax savings structure for housing program, providing tax relief to participants by alignating down-payment assistance with current housing costs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill updates Individual Housing Account Program to align down-payment assistance with current housing prices, improving access for homebuyers. This directly strengthens affordable housing programs by modernizing eligibility and contribution requir...95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2478: RELATING TO BONDS.

Authorizes the counties to implement housing infrastructure growth bonds. Conforms county debt limit statements law to permit counties to exclude housing infrastructure growth bonds from the debt limit of the counties if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of housing infrastructure growth bonds and excluding housing infrastructure growth bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows counties to exclude housing infrastructure bonds from debt limits, facilitating funding for housing development projects.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2476: PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 12 AND 13, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

Proposes constitutional amendments to expressly provide that the Legislature may authorize political subdivisions, such as the counties, to issue housing infrastructure growth bonds for specified public works, public improvements, or other actions necessary for housing and community development, and exclude these bonds from determinations of the funded debt of the political subdivisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes counties to issue housing infrastructure bonds for new development, excluding from debt calculations to facilitate housing projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1596: RELATING TO STUDENT BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Establishes a Basic Needs Pilot Program at a single campus of the University of Hawaii system. Authorizes the establishment of a Housing Stability Pilot Project at that campus. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for UH Basic Needs and Housing Stability Pilot, directly supporting student access and stability in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a Housing Stability Pilot Project at UH campus and appropriates funds, directly funding student housing stability programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2560: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a two-year-pilot program within the Department of Human Services to provide temporary financial stabilization assistance to families with students identified as experiencing homelessness. Funds the program through the Department of Human Services using allowable Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. Requires Department of Education Complex Area Community Homeless Concerns Liaison to make approved purchases. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides financial stabilization assistance to homeless families, directly addressing homelessness as a housing issue through a funded pilot program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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