Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 534: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the process by which the Hawaii Community Development Authority may approve residential development on certain parcels of Kakaako Makai. Raises the building height limit and the maximum floor area ratio on certain parcels in the area. Requires a certain percentage of the residential units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level in perpetuity, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area. Limits the sale of residential units developed in certain residential developments to prospective owner-occupants. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to determine a Kakaako Makai association fee to be collected from residents, tenants, and lessees of certain parcels to be deposited into a special account in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Special Fund to fund various services and projects in the Kakaako Makai area. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20% affordable units for low-income households in perpetuity with workforce priority, directly advancing affordable housing goals per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1088: RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

HB 1088 exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) from school impact fees. This applies to new DHHL housing projects, removing a fee typically required to fund school infrastructure. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 3000, directly affecting DHHL developments by eliminating this cost. The bill focuses on modifying fee requirements for DHHL housing without altering other school funding mechanisms.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExempts DHHL housing from school impact fees, removing a dedicated funding source for school infrastructure without alternative funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts DHHL housing from school impact fees, reducing development costs to support affordable housing initiatives under DHHL's mission.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1293: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Provides the amount of recovery for tenants who prevail in civil suits for a landlord's violation of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code concerning a dwelling unit within an area that was a federally declared disaster area as of 8/8/2023. Provides for reasonable attorneys' fees and recovery for the cost of the suit. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by enabling recovery for landlord violations in disaster areas and covering legal costs, directly advancing tenant rights under housing policy.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 498: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for agricultural workforce housing program, directly advancing state budget allocation for housing needs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with funding to address housing shortage for agricultural workers, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses agricultural workforce housing shortages via working group and funding, improving living conditions and safety for workers, a key employment condition.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1405: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts any development of homestead lots or housing for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from general excise and use taxes. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to submit annual reports to the Legislature over a period of five years. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts DHHL housing from taxes, reducing state revenue and weakening fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts DHHL housing from taxes, reducing development costs to advance affordable housing for Native Hawaiians.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1662: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents landlords from charging fees for criminal background checks, reducing financial barriers for housing access of individuals with criminal records.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks when tenants provide certified copies, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections in housing screening.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 76: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies that the dwelling units eligible for the Rent-to-Own Program shall be units that are for sale in fee simple or leasehold on state or county land under a lease with an initial term of not less than ninety-nine years. Increases the time period that the sales price of dwelling units under the Rent-to-Own Program shall remain fixed from five years to ten years after the rental agreement is executed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends fixed sales price period to 10 years, increasing stability for Rent-to-Own participants and advancing affordable housing access through program enhancement.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1610: RELATING TO OHANA ZONES.

Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a program within the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exempt ohana zones projects from general excise taxes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts housing projects from general excise taxes (tax relief) and appropriates funds for the Ohana Zones Program, supporting housing initiatives through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Ohana Zones Program under homelessness/housing office, exempts projects from taxes, appropriates funds - directly advances affordable housing development and homelessness solutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 40: RELATING TO STATE FINANCES.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to utilize revenue bonds when securing a line of credit or other instrument of indebtedness for the Bond Volume Cap Recycling Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes HHFDC to use revenue bonds for housing finance program, enabling funding for housing development and affordability initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 24: RELATING TO LIMITED-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes an organizational, tax, and regulatory framework for limited-profit housing associations. Establishes the Limited-Profit Housing Council to oversee limited-profit housing associations. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes regulatory framework for limited-profit housing associations, promoting affordable housing development through Qualified Residents and oversight council.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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