Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 152: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Authorizes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to utilize funds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund as collateral when DHHL is an eligible borrower of a loan guaranteed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act, as amended, subject to approval of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes DHHL to use DURF funds as collateral for HUD loans, enabling housing development funding under Hawaiian Home Lands program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 489: RELATING TO VACANT HOMES.

Establishes a Vacant Homes Special Fund under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for rental assistance programs. Establishes a general excise tax surcharge on an owner that allows a residential real property to remain vacant for 180 days or more a year. Requires persons who own residential real property, but do not live there, to obtain a general excise tax license. Requires the counties to disclose to the Department of Taxation a list of properties classified as not being occupied by an owner of that property. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to calculate average annual rental value for the basis for the surcharge amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes general excise tax surcharge on vacant property owners to fund rental assistance programs, creating new tax revenue for public housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Vacant Homes Special Fund for rental assistance, taxes vacant properties to fund housing programs, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Housing Finance Property Development Renters

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1333: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes the use of county surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure in counties having a population of 500,000 or less. Authorizes counties that have previously adopted a surcharge on state tax ordinance after July 1, 2015, to amend the uses of the surcharge. Extends the period within which a county with a population of 500,000 or less may collect a surcharge on state tax, under certain conditions, to 12/31/2047. Authorizes cost-sharing with private or other public developers for housing infrastructure projects funded by surcharge revenues. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes county surcharge revenues for transportation/housing infrastructure, directing existing tax funds toward public projects and aligning with fiscal responsibility and infrastructure funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes county surcharge revenues for housing infrastructure funding, directly advancing housing development and infrastructure projects in qualifying counties.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes county surcharge revenues for transportation infrastructure funding in counties under 500k population, extending collection period to 2047.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Transportation Funding

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 491: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing and Deed Restriction Program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allocate funds to the counties for the purchase of equity for eligible homeowners or homebuyers to finance construction costs, development costs, and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit and purchase deed restrictions on such property. Exempts the conveyance tax for certain properties for taxable years beginning on 1/1/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds via HHFDC for ADU financing and exempts conveyance tax, supporting housing affordability through fiscal measures.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates state-funded program to finance ADU construction and deed restrictions, directly increasing housing supply and affordability through targeted funding for accessory dwelling units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development Zoning

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2544: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes deployment of existing revolving fund moneys for affordable housing pilot program, directing appropriations toward housing needs per 50% income-targeted unit requirement.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes affordable housing pilot program with 50% units for 60-140% AMI households and funds development via revolving fund, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1169: RELATING TO COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to establish a five-year community land trust equity pilot program to provide community land trusts with a line of credit to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, or construction of housing for low- to moderate-income households and report to the Legislature regarding the pilot program. Appropriates funds from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the establishment of the pilot program. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds community land trusts to develop affordable housing for low-income households via DURF appropriation and pilot program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 416: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits rental agreements from prohibiting tenants from keeping pet animals in dwelling units, subject to certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits rental agreements from banning pets, strengthening tenant rights under residential landlord-tenant code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 115: RELATING TO ATTACHMENT AND EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY.

SB 115 increases the amount of real property protected from seizure by creditors when enforcing court judgments. This directly affects homeowners and property owners facing debt collection, as it raises the threshold before property can be attached or executed. The key provision is raising the exemption amount, meaning more valuable homes and land will remain protected from being sold to satisfy debts. This change modifies existing property protection rules without altering debt collection procedures themselves.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects homeowners' property from seizure by raising exemption amounts, strengthening property rights within housing context.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 469: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund and, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates conveyance tax revenue to Affordable Homeownership and Homeless Services funds, directly funding essential programs through targeted tax increases.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Homeless Services Special Fund and allocates conveyance taxes to Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for housing projects, directly funding affordable housing initiatives and homelessness services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Property Taxes

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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

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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