STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2081

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 123

S.D. 1

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 S.C.R. No. 123, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO RESEARCH LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES SPECIFIC TO INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF RENTAL HOUSING AND IMPROVING LANDLORD-TENANT INTERACTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request a working group to study ways to improve rental housing and landlord-tenant issues.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Judiciary and from Hawaii Realtors. Your Committee received comments from the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the responsibility of the working group to address the following:

(a) Conduct a comprehensive review of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to determine if any amendments or updates are necessary;

(b) Review existing mechanisms available to landlords and tenants for the enforcement of rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code; and

(c) Consider the feasibility of statutory processes through which injunctive relief might be obtained;

(2) Amend the title to reflect the changes in the working group's responsibilities;

(3) Technical, non-substantive changes for 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 S.C.R. No. 123, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 123, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair