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Senate committees pass package of housing bills with amendments; several measures deferred for more information
Summary
At the March 11 session committees voted to pass multiple housing measures with amendments (including HB1093, HB432, HB529, HB1411, HB740, HB367) and deferred others for additional review (HB606, HB576, HB739). Several bills were amended to change funding sources, add repayment or equity provisions, or to require further rulemaking.
HONOLULU — On March 11, 2025, the Senate committees on Housing and Hawaiian Affairs moved a slate of housing bills forward with committee amendments and set deferred decision dates for several measures that drew extended testimony earlier in the day.
After final deliberation in a decision‑making session, the committees recommended passage with amendments of multiple bills affecting state housing finance, rental funds, ADU programs and permit exemptions. Committees also deferred several DHHL-related measures to March 18 for additional briefings.
Key committee actions taken March 11 (committee recommendations):
- HB 10 93 (HPHA authority): Pass with amendments — chair, vice chair and present members voted to adopt the recommendation.
- HB 4 32 (creates mixed income subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund): Pass with amendments. Amendments included allowing sale housing as well as rentals, removing a 140% AMI cap while requiring units be offered to “qualified residents” under HRS, permitting HHFDC to transfer funds into the subaccount without separate legislative approval, and prioritizing projects requiring the least state subsidy per unit. The committee report also noted a funding request for $75 million per year for the subaccount and $56 million for mayor‑Wright redevelopment.
- HB 5 29 (state finance / revenue bond authority for HHFDC): Pass with amendments.
- HB 14 11 (local preference for buyers/renters within five miles): Pass with amendments.
- HB 7 40 (ADU financing and deed restriction program): Pass with amendments. The chair’s amendments convert the program to an equity‑style investment (state recovers prorated value and appreciation within 15 years or upon sale), cap funding at $2 million per year, limit per‑ADU awards to 8% of appraised property value, prioritize government employees, require owner‑occupancy as a condition, permit administrative costs, and sunset the program after five years with a required program evaluation.
- HB 7 39 (Kama'aina Homes deed restriction purchase program): Deferred (committee intends to focus on HB 7 40 as the vehicle for deed‑restriction policy).
- HB 3 67 (county permit exemptions & interior remodeling): Pass with amendments to clarify interior work that does not change use or square footage and to require submission of plans to the county agency.
Committee members repeatedly emphasized the need to make state investments that can be recycled or repurposed rather than one‑time grants that are not recovered. The final language adopted for several bills prioritized mechanisms that allow the state to recover capital or share in appreciation so funds can be reused for further housing investments.
What’s next: The committees set a March 18, 2025 decision day for deferred DHHL measures (including HB 606 and HB 576). Bills that passed with amendments will proceed through the legislative process with the committee reports and proposed amendments attached.
