STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2030

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 822

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 822, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LANDLORD TENANT CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a three-year Residential Landlord-Tenant Code Working Group to research and improve the Residential-Landlord Tenant Code; and

(2) Require an initial report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026 and a final report no later than July 1, 2028.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Office of Housing and Community Development of the County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Association of Realtors; and Hawaii Workers Center. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that rental housing is a critical component of Hawaii's housing market, with a significant portion of residents relying on rental properties for stability. However, the complexity of landlord-tenant laws and legal proceedings creates challenges for landlords and tenants, often leading to disputes, uncertainty, and an increased burden on the judicial system. This measure will facilitate collaboration among key stakeholders to identify issues, develop solutions, and enhance the rental housing market, ultimately increasing housing availability and stability for Hawaii residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Placing the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code Working Group (Working Group) within the Judiciary, rather than the Department of the Attorney General, and updating the membership of the Working Group;

(2) Amending the scope of the Working Group;

(3) Deleting the savings clause; 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 822, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 822, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair