STAND. COM. REP. NO. 969

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1662

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1662, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report;

(2) Prohibit a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available; and

(3) Require a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS.

Your Committee finds that significant competition for rental units in the State often necessitates the submission of multiple rental applications. The associated screening fees of these applications can quickly become burdensome, especially for local families seeking affordable housing. These fees are often redundant as some tenant screening companies allow tenants to reuse and share certain reports between landlords. This measure institutes prohibitions and requirements to make the rental application process more affordable.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1662, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair