Committee approves eviction-mediation bill with timeline and sunset amendments

The Hawaii Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted Feb. 4 to pass SB 825, a measure that would require landlords to participate in mediation and to delay filing summary‑possession actions when a tenant schedules or attempts to schedule mediation. The committee adopted judiciary‑proposed amendments setting mediation to occur within 30 days of contact with the mediation center and retained the bill’s sunset provision.

Tracy Wilkin, executive director of the Mediation Center of the Pacific, testified in support and said the change is intended to “change the culture and the mindset of tenants not reaching out to their landlords when they know they're having a problem” and that the bill “is important because it requires landlords to participate.” Wilkin said early contact and mediation can let tenants and landlords reach “a realistic agreement” and avoid eviction.

The original bill would extend the period for notice of termination beginning February 2026, require landlords to engage in mediation and delay legal action if a tenant schedules mediation, and require landlords to provide specific information in the 10‑day notice to tenants. The committee accepted technical edits and adopted the judiciary’s language to ensure mediation occurs within 30 days of initial contact with the mediation center. The committee also set a defective effective date of July 1, 2050 to allow further consideration.

The committee passed SB 825 with amendments; the vice chair and chair recorded aye votes and no objections were registered during the decision making.

The amendment to require mediation within 30 days aligns with the judiciary’s proposal, and the committee’s action instructs the judiciary and stakeholders to continue outreach and implementation planning prior to later legislative steps.