Housing

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2347: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

SB 2347 requires the Office of Consumer Protection to regularly publish clear, multilingual notices explaining tenant rights under the residential landlord-tenant code. This bill directly affects renters by ensuring they receive accessible information about their legal protections, particularly in communities with limited English proficiency. Key provisions mandate that these notices be published periodically and made available in multiple languages to improve tenant awareness. The law would take effect on July 1, 2050, but is currently pending committee review.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates landlords provide tenants with multilingual rights notices, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HCR 82: REQUESTING THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT BASIC SHELTER STANDARDS TO ENABLE LOW-COST, RAPID-DEPLOYMENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

This bill requests the State Building Code Council to create a new set of basic shelter standards that would allow for low-cost, quickly built housing solutions during emergencies. The proposed standards would permit simpler structures like prefabricated units and temporary shelters that currently don't meet full building code requirements, but would still ensure safety and sanitation. These housing units would only be allowed during declared emergencies and would be limited to government or nonprofit use to prevent commercial exploitation. The bill also establishes a pathway for these temporary units to be upgraded to permanent housing if they later meet full building code standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates basic shelter standards for low-cost, rapid-deployment housing during emergencies, expanding affordable housing options and addressing housing needs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 123: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless or have extremely low incomes. The resolution asks these agencies to assess how many people are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also directs them to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act before submitting a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of coordinated support pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or low income, directly addressing housing assistance and homelessness stabilization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 116: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED, PLACE-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE NEEDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

This bill requests the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated strategic action plan for addressing behavioral health and homelessness on the Waianae Coast. The plan would analyze emergency response times, hospital utilization, and current shelter capacity to identify service gaps and high-need areas in the region. It also requires the agencies to evaluate how well outreach teams, behavioral health providers, and first responders work together and to explore options for establishing a regional crisis stabilization center. The agencies must include community-based service providers in the planning process and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to develop a strategic action plan for behavioral health and homelessness, improving access to mental health services and healthcare coordination.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of strategic action plan to address homelessness and behavioral health needs, which directly supports housing solutions and homelessness response efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 182: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING NOT COVERED BY THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND GOVERNED BY CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing managed by condominium and planned community associations, which are not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act. The study will examine disputes between residents and associations over accessibility modifications, analyze how current laws define responsibilities for common area improvements, and assess the impact of these barriers on residents' ability to age in place. The working group will include representatives from disability rights organizations, housing authorities, and senior advocacy groups, and will evaluate potential state funding options to help offset modification costs. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to study and address accessibility barriers in multi-family housing, which would strengthen tenant protections and improve housing accessibility for residents with disabilities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 124: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT READINESS, AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution asks the department to work with financial educators, credit counselors, and community partners to provide pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and to identify funding opportunities. The department is also asked to report back to the Legislature within 20 days of the 2027 session with details on program improvements, the number of people served, and measurable outcomes related to lease retention and credit improvement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens financial literacy and homeownership programs for Native Hawaiians, promoting fiscal responsibility and economic stability through expanded government support services.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands financial literacy and homeownership education programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, strengthening educational access and financial preparedness.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens homeownership programs and financial literacy for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, directly advancing housing access and stability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 192: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

This bill asks the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by computer algorithms and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can handle discrimination claims involving artificial intelligence used in hiring, housing, credit, and public benefits. The study will also look at legal challenges, whether new guidance is needed, and if a complaint process should be created for these types of cases. The Commission must submit its findings and any suggested laws to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins. This is a non-binding request for analysis rather than a law that changes rules immediately.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill examines algorithmic discrimination in housing decisions, potentially strengthening tenant protections against automated bias in housing access.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill examines if anti-discrimination laws cover algorithmic decisions in hiring, protecting workers from AI-based discrimination and strengthening employment rights.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill seeks to examine and potentially strengthen anti-discrimination protections for algorithmic decision systems, promoting digital equity and consumer protection in AI applications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 126: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING STATE-OWNED OR STATE-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES NEAR PORTS, HARBORS, AND AIRPORTS TO REDUCE MATERIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICLY FINANCED HOUSING PROJECTS.

This bill requests the Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group that will study whether the state should own or control warehouses and logistics facilities near ports, harbors, and airports. The goal is to lower material costs for publicly funded housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses caused by Hawaii's reliance on imported building materials. The working group will examine potential sites, analyze cost savings from bulk purchasing, evaluate public-private partnerships, and determine if any new laws are needed to implement the recommendations. The group must include representatives from transportation, housing agencies, contractors, and legislative committees, and will submit its findings to the legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aims to reduce material costs for publicly financed housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency, directly supporting affordable housing development.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce transportation expenses for housing projects by evaluating state-owned logistics facilities near ports and airports.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 108: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED, PLACE-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE NEEDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

This bill asks the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a strategic plan for addressing homelessness and behavioral health needs on the Waianae Coast. The plan must include an analysis of emergency response times, hospital usage for psychiatric crises, available crisis beds, service gaps, and coordination between outreach teams and first responders. It also requires evaluating the feasibility of a regional crisis stabilization center and identifying any legal or budget changes needed to improve outcomes. Community-based service providers must be involved in developing the plan, which will be reported to the Legislature by March 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates development of strategic action plan for behavioral health and homelessness, improving access to mental health services and crisis stabilization on Waianae Coast.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses homelessness and behavioral health needs through coordinated planning, which supports housing stability and access to services for vulnerable populations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 115: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing homelessness or extremely low income. The key provisions require these agencies to assess the number of affected individuals, identify gaps in housing assistance, and evaluate options like transitional housing models on Department lands. Additionally, the agencies must explore funding sources, partner with nonprofit providers, and develop pilot program structures that comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The resolution mandates that a report on these efforts be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates creation of coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or low income, directly addressing housing assistance and homelessness prevention.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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