This bill, signed into law on July 8, 2026, requires Hawaiian counties to conduct specific studies before implementing or changing rules that mandate developers build affordable housing units. Under the new law, any requirement forcing developers to include affordable units is treated legally as a fee, meaning counties must prove the rule is necessary and financially feasible before adopting it. If a county wants to set an affordable housing requirement above ten percent, it must provide written evidence showing the rule is proportional and won't make projects unbuildable. These new rules aim to ensure that policies requiring affordable housing are based on data and do not inadvertently reduce the overall supply of homes available to residents.
This bill is a state-level resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment allowing states to restrict the purchase of residential real estate to their own residents. It directly affects Hawaii by seeking federal action to address the state's housing affordability crisis, which the bill attributes in part to out-of-state buyers purchasing homes for investment or vacation use. The key mechanism is a request for a constitutional change to the Privileges and Immunities Clause, which currently prevents states from limiting property ownership based on residency. If adopted, this amendment would enable states to pass laws reserving home purchases for local residents, though the bill itself does not enact any restrictions directly.
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.
Repeals the tenant selection preferences for disabled veterans and the spouses of deceased veterans in the State Low-Income Housing Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale or rent in perpetuity to buyers or renters who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants or renters, and do not own any other real property. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Specifies that the School Facilities Authority is not eligible as a housing developer for the purposes of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Deems a county inclusionary mandate as a form of development exaction and treats the mandate as a housing affordability impact fee. Provides parameters for a county's adoption or amendment of an inclusionary mandate for residential or mixed-use development. Establishes additional components for a needs assessment study for a county-imposed inclusionary mandate. Conditions the adoption or amendment of a county inclusionary mandate for residential or mixed-use development on written findings of essential nexus and rough proportionality and a determination of financial feasibility. (CD1)
Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale or rent in perpetuity to buyers or renters who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants or renters, and do not own any other real property. (SD1)
