Housing

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1231: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1718 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 130).

This bill grants Hawaii counties the authority to build, finance, and manage low- and moderate-income housing projects in the same way the state's housing finance corporation does. Under the new provisions, counties can acquire land, offer construction loans, guarantee mortgages, provide down payment assistance, and sell or lease completed units. The legislation also requires counties to accept affordable housing credits from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to help meet local housing requirements. While counties gain these expanded powers, they cannot issue state bonds to fund projects, and existing state laws regarding affordable housing obligations remain in effect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill empowers counties to build, finance, and manage affordable housing projects, directly increasing housing supply and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

GM 1134: Informing the Legislature that on May 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1737 HD3 SD2 CD1 (ACT 034).

This bill updates the definition of agricultural districts in Hawaii to include a wider range of activities and facilities. It explicitly adds wind energy, solar energy, biofuel production, and farm employee housing to the list of uses that qualify as agricultural. The law also clarifies rules for solar facilities on certain land types and allows for agricultural tourism and recreational facilities within these districts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly expands agricultural districts to include wind, solar, and biofuel production, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands agricultural districts to include renewable energy projects like wind and solar, promoting clean energy and environmental conservation.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly adds farm employee housing to agricultural district definitions, protecting housing for agricultural workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Wind Tags Agriculture

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 28, 2026

GM 1155: Informing the Legislature that on May 28, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2315 HD1 SD1 (ACT 055).

This bill directs the Governor to inform the legislature that he signed Act 055 into law on May 28, 2026. The act authorizes the Department of Health to run a three-year pilot program allowing its employees to use a portion of their accrued vacation time to pay for a down payment on a home. To qualify, employees must be permanent staff in good standing who meet specific residency and homeownership history requirements. The program aims to help state workers overcome high housing costs without requiring them to leave their jobs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a pilot program helping state employees afford home down payments, directly advancing housing accessibility.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employee benefits by allowing vacation time to be used for home down payments, directly supporting worker welfare and financial stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 80: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

This bill addresses homelessness by establishing new procedures and support measures for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. It directly affects local governments, social service agencies, and homeless individuals by creating standardized protocols for outreach and assistance. The legislation outlines specific requirements for agencies to develop coordinated care plans and provides funding mechanisms for temporary housing solutions. The bill aims to improve how communities respond to homelessness through structured intervention strategies rather than changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes procedures and support measures for housing insecurity, creates coordinated care plans, and provides funding for temporary housing solutions, directly addressing homelessness and housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 47: DECLARING THE INTENT THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING CREDITS ARE PERPETUAL AND REMAIN VALID UNTIL REDEEMED, AND REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO RECOGNIZE THESE CREDITS WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATES.

This Senate Resolution clarifies that affordable housing credits issued in Hawaii are perpetual assets that remain valid until they are used to fulfill housing obligations, rather than having expiration dates. It directs county governments to align their administrative policies with state law to ensure these credits retain their full value and transferability without time-based restrictions. The resolution also requests that future agreements between counties and housing agencies avoid adding conditions that could limit the credits' utility or lifespan. This measure aims to provide long-term stability for developers participating in affordable housing programs while ensuring counties recognize these credits as permanent financial tools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill protects affordable housing credits as perpetual assets, preventing expiration and ensuring continued funding for housing programs, which supports fiscal management of essential services.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens affordable housing by making credits perpetual and protecting their value, directly advancing housing development and affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 116: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT READINESS, AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS.

This House Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The bill directs the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and lenders to offer pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and grant identification. The department must submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing program improvements, participant numbers, and outcomes related to lease stability and credit improvement. This measure focuses on administrative planning and program enhancement rather than creating new funding or changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands financial literacy and credit readiness programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, enhancing educational access and financial education services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens homeownership preparedness and financial literacy programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, directly supporting housing development and stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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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

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 165: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can properly handle complaints about bias in areas like hiring, housing, and credit checks, and identify any legal or practical challenges in enforcing protections against algorithmic discrimination. The study will also consider whether new guidance or complaint processes are needed to help people understand their rights when facing automated decision-making. The Commission must submit its findings and any recommended laws to the state legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to strengthen anti-discrimination protections in housing by examining how AI systems might violate existing laws, thereby preventing algorithmic bias in housing decisions.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to expand anti-discrimination protections to cover algorithmic decision-making in hiring, protecting workers' rights against bias in employment processes.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill seeks to protect civil rights in algorithmic decision-making, ensuring AI systems don't discriminate against protected groups in hiring, housing, and credit.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 65: URGING THE COUNTIES TO ESTABLISH PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO HAVE OWNED AND OCCUPIED THEIR RESIDENCE FOR AT LEAST TEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

This bill urges Hawaii's counties to create additional property tax relief programs for senior citizens who have owned and lived in their primary homes for at least ten consecutive years. The resolution specifically targets homeowners aged 65 or older and requests that these new programs supplement existing county tax relief measures while excluding rental or investment properties. It asks counties to develop reasonable eligibility verification procedures to confirm age, ownership, and occupancy before granting tax reductions. As a non-binding concurrent resolution, the bill does not mandate action but formally requests county officials to consider implementing these relief programs to help seniors age in place.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill urges creation of property tax relief programs for seniors, directly reducing tax burden on homeowners aged 65+ who meet ownership and occupancy requirements.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill urges counties to create property tax relief for senior homeowners, protecting housing affordability for vulnerable populations and supporting homeownership stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 151: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

This Senate Resolution urges four state housing agencies in Hawaii to develop a housing ladder program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to support upward mobility. As a Senate Resolution, this bill does not create new laws or funding but instead requests that the agencies collaborate to create a plan and report their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill urges agencies to create housing ladder program helping individuals graduate to unsubsidized housing, strengthening housing assistance and upward mobility.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes workforce training as part of housing ladder program, which supports employment and worker development75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Housing Finance Workforce Development

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