STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1533

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 153

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.R. No. 153 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP LANDLORD-TENANT CODE IMPROVEMENTS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a working group dedicated to researching and improving the landlord-tenant code.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Realtors and from one individual. Your Committee received testimony providing comments from the State Department of the Attorney General and from the Maui Tenants and Workers Association.

Your Committee finds that clarifying and improving landlord-tenant laws will support the vitality of rental housing in Hawaii, and that addressing other relevant landlord-tenant issues would provide an opportunity for collaboration among key stakeholders. Your Committee acknowledges commentary from the State Attorney General regarding concerns about convening the working group.

Your committee notes the Judiciary's support of S.B. No. 822, Regular Session of 2025, which this committee heard previously, and its willingness to convene the working group.

Your Committee has therefore amended this measure by: 

(1) Changing the convening entity from the Attorney General to the Judiciary;

(2) Narrowing the scope of this Resolution by removing the request to identify the potential availability of housing stock not offered for rent;

(3) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 153, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 153, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair