Housing

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1415: RELATING TO TENANT SELECTION.

SB 1415 repeals existing tenant selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans within the State Low-Income Housing Program. This change directly affects veterans and their spouses who previously received priority in housing applications under this program. The bill removes these specific preferences from the program's selection criteria, meaning all applicants will now be evaluated under the same standard process. The legislation does not create new housing benefits or alter other program requirements. This change is part of the program's administrative rules, not a new funding or eligibility provision.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRemoves veteran preference in low-income housing program, weakening targeted tenant protections for disabled veterans and spouses.85% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRepeals housing preference for disabled veterans and spouses, removing a specific benefit they previously received under state low-income housing program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Housing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2958: 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 recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits fees for background checks in rental applications, reducing financial barriers for tenants with criminal records and supporting reentry/reform efforts.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing affordability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 9: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, EDUCATION, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, CREDIT, AND JURY SERVICE.

This is a Senate resolution (SR 9), not a bill that would become law. It requests the U.S. Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in eight key areas: employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. The resolution cites Hawaii's existing state protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and notes that federal law currently lacks such comprehensive coverage. As a resolution, it does not change any laws but formally urges Congress to take action on the Equality Act.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExplicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, aligning with tenant protection and anti-discrimination goals in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequests federal prohibition of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, directly advancing worker protections in Labor & Employment.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2182: RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL LEASEHOLDS.

Exempts state and county lands leased after July 1, 2026, for an initial period of not less than 99 years from chapters 516 and 516D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExempts long-term state/county leases from tenant protection statutes (HRS Ch. 516/516D), weakening regulatory oversight on residential leases.90% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 11: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, EDUCATION, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, CREDIT, AND JURY SERVICE.

This Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 11) requests the U.S. Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add explicit protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It seeks to prohibit such discrimination in key areas including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. The resolution directly affects LGBTQ+ individuals who currently lack comprehensive federal protections in these contexts. Hawaii already provides similar state-level protections (through Act 40, 2022), but this resolution urges federal action to create uniform nationwide safeguards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly requests federal prohibition of housing discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, directly advancing tenant protections per topic description.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly requests federal prohibition of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, directly strengthening workplace protections for LGBTQ+ workers.95% confidence

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2069: RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Extends the sunset date of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program pursuant to Act 92, SLH 2023, from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2031. Requires any equity purchased by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program to be in a for-sale housing development project within a transit-oriented development zone. Authorizes HHFDC to spend up to $20,000,000 from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the Equity Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 92, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023. (CD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes housing fund permanent, expands funding uses, and exempts disbursements from appropriation requirements, strengthening affordable housing financial mechanisms.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes HHFDC to use existing funds for Equity Pilot Program, advancing affordable housing initiatives through targeted funding reallocation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires housing projects in transit-oriented development zones, promoting transit-accessible housing and supporting public transit integration.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3158: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

Amends the Hawaii Community College Promise Program (Hawaii promise) to exclude grants, scholarships, and other funding sources from the calculation of Hawaii promise awards, allowing students to apply such funds toward indirect costs, including housing, food, and other living expenses, to reduce financial barriers and support student success. Addresses the change in federal law regarding Pell Grants. Changes Hawaii promise from being a last-dollar award.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends Hawaii Promise to allow grants/scholarships for living expenses, reducing financial barriers and supporting student success per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allows student aid to cover housing costs, reducing financial barriers for housing affordability under the Hawaii Promise Program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 212: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to establish a permanent Return-to-Home Program to return homeless individuals in the State to families and relatives in their home states. Requires the Office to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Return-to-Home Program, directly funding a public service related to homelessness under Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds Return-to-Home Program to address homelessness, directly supporting housing stability for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1724: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes affordable housing funding permanent and expands use of proceeds, exempting disbursements from appropriation requirements, which strengthens housing finance programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPermanently expands HHFDC's Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund equity in for-sale housing development projects, advancing affordable housing through financial mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Homeownership Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2559: RELATING TO REAL ESTATE.

Requires a licensed real estate broker or salesperson to provide written disclosure to the seller when marketing residential real property through a private or off-market listing. Includes failure to provide the written disclosure as grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed real estate broker or salesperson. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discriminatory real estate marketing, preventing housing discrimination per Fair Practices Act.95% confidence

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