Housing (Renters)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1024: RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Provides that HPHA may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows HPHA to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows public housing tenants to keep pets without monthly fees, strengthening tenant protections per housing topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 306: RELATING TO THE LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord from recovering possession of a dwelling unit from a tenant if the habitability of the premises is significantly impaired. Caps a tenant's liability for rent if the habitability of the premises is significantly impaired. Provides remedies for retaliatory evictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits evictions for habitability issues and caps tenant liability, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 35: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Establishes the Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Specifies permissible uses of funding and priorities. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer moneys between the Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount and the RHRF without legislative approval. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount within Rental Housing Revolving Fund, authorizing HHFDC to allocate funds toward housing programs and priorities, directly advancing affordable housing funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1056: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

SB 1056 restricts annual rent increases for residential landlords by capping the maximum percentage increase allowed within a 12-month period and limiting how frequently rent can be raised. This bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in the state by imposing these specific limits on rent hikes. Key provisions include setting a defined annual cap on rent increases and restricting the number of times a landlord may raise rent within a year. The bill is currently pending in the legislative process, having been carried over to the 2026 Regular Session.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts rent increases via annual cap and frequency limits, directly protecting tenants from excessive hikes and promoting housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 70: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires eligible applicants of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be either governmental agencies or organizations that are required to use all financial surplus, excluding fees, to develop additional housing in the State. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates RHRF surplus use for housing development, advancing affordable housing through targeted funding of eligible applicants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1261: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a tax credit for landlords who charge below-market rent and assesses an additional privilege tax on landowners who charge above-market rent, under certain conditions. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to determine median market rent for rental units by geographic area for the purposes of the below-market rent tax credit and above-market rent tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for below-market rent and additional tax on above-market rent, promoting housing affordability through targeted taxation and fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit for below-market rent directly increases affordable housing access; above-market rent tax penalizes excessive pricing, strengthening tenant protections and aligning with housing affordability goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Housing Finance Property Taxes Renters

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 3011: RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Prohibits pet animals from being at-large on public housing premises. Provides that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows pets in public housing without monthly fees, strengthening tenant rights and reducing barriers for residents in affordable housing units.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1324: RELATING TO LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES.

Requires the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in actions or proceedings for possession under certain circumstances. Authorizes attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide legal services to residential tenants. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for tenant legal services, directly funding a public service under government spending.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides legal services to tenants in eviction disputes, strengthening tenant protections and access to representation per bill's explicit language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 464: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires, for tenancies greater than 90 days, a landlord to notify a tenant of any intent to raise the rent for any subsequent rental agreement or any intent to terminate a rental agreement 60 days before the expiration of the original rental agreement. Requires 90 day's notice for a landlord or tenant to terminate tenancies of three years or more and 60 days' notice to terminate tenancies of less than three years, with certain exceptions. Increases the amount of notice required to terminate tenancies that are less than month-to-month. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates extended notice periods for rent increases and lease terminations, strengthening tenant protections under housing regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 153: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires, for tenancies greater than 90 days, a landlord to notify a tenant of any intent to raise the rent for any subsequent rental agreement or any intent to terminate a rental agreement 60 days before the expiration of the original rental agreement. Requires 90 day's notice for a landlord or tenant to terminate tenancies of three years or more and 60 days' notice to terminate tenancies of less than three years, with certain exceptions. Increases the amount of notice required to terminate tenancies that are less than month-to-month.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tenant notice periods for rent changes/termination, strengthening protections against sudden housing disruptions per Residential Landlord-tenant Code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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