[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359361,"mediaKeyId","2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570","parentId",2184929,"title","Committee narrows eviction-record sealing, extends lease notice and advances no-fault eviction and foreclosure protections","audioSeconds",2705,"startMs",7336000,"endMs",10041000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570&start=7336&end=10041","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570/thumbnail_7336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359361/Hawaii/Committee-narrows-eviction-record-sealing-extends-lease-notice-and-advances-no-fault-eviction-and-foreclosure-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359361-32c824b7991fed16982610b58d79b5e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138490&Signature=f~Cy28WOag~bHzhTxpNUXR7k9c1mlw8wUJCa9qSpWUtffcX~PayzCXdJHZ2Uxui2ztS601~4IJu3FVL5tP1mBNJwFN6IXbrpHbKnA9X0wRRoOmtSI4Mc9nZQ849EFnspWSt2myIBahTsQYdKaGzzenUsgp94mfYPDEcAqDlX3FP1rgDc~c-VBzmBuIQqtoe2b-7FkAzWDewgBvD3WUE4zBvcIlUQ8CE-tfYqj4lKTMHzSAtzApUlfi3qjPf41jeYjiaFRdrZJU-4OWeeU9mPFbfF4kRIcO37Tmx90R0bjC3xaTE6WDXfwFy9vhkRXfH0DDLCs4b-MITKaoZM5MJtiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Committee on Housing","date","2025-02-01T01:29:34.743Z","article","The House Committee on Housing advanced a group of tenant- and foreclosure-related measures, making substantive edits to narrow scope and address constitutional and implementation questions raised by the Attorney General and the judiciary.

On HB 463 (eviction records), the committee adopted a narrowed approach: records would be sealed automatically when a tenant prevails in an eviction case, but broader prohibitions on inquiries and a blanket sealing after two years were removed following AG and judiciary concerns about constitutional viability. Deputy Attorney General Christopher Hahn cautioned the panel about a 9th Circuit decision striking similar ordinances and recommended a severability clause. Medical Legal Partnership attorney Dasia Strauski testified that sealing records when tenants prevail would remove a major barrier to renters pursuing meritorious claims.

Maui Housing Hui, tenant organizers and legal aid groups supported the sealing provision, saying eviction records deter tenants from asserting legal rights even when their housing conditions warrant relief. Tenant organizer Jordan Hocker described sealing as a way to reduce displacement and discriminatory screening practices.

HB 464, which clarifies lease-notice obligations when term leases expire, was advanced with technical clarifications requested by the Attorney General; supporters said clearer rules would help renters and landlords plan in a thin rental market. The panel adopted AG-suggested savings language to avoid impairing existing contracts in a way that would violate the state or federal constitution.

On HB 466, a no-fault eviction bill designed to stabilize communities after disasters, the committee narrowed some categories that had been in the original draft, removed certain provisions that did not fit the legislative definition of no-fault, shortened the required notice period from 90 to 60 days in several provisions, and clarified relocation assistance options (the landlord may either pay a relocation amount equal to one month’s rent or waive the final month’s rent). The AG suggested more precise definitions of “relocation assistance” to avoid ambiguity.

HB 467 (foreclosures), driven by concerns about post-disaster foreclosure pressure in Lahaina, was advanced with a deferral on a technical point: committee members asked staff to consider exempting certified community development financial institutions (CDFIs) from certain public-sale restrictions to enable local non‑profits to step in to acquire lands at auction and preserve local ownership. Testimony from Lahaina Strong and the Lahaina Community Land Trust stressed the urgency of enabling community groups to intervene as foreclosures resume following the end of a moratorium.

Committee members said the package reflects a balance: protecting tenants who prevail, tightening procedural clarity, and enabling community responses to foreclosures while trying to avoid constitutional exposure and implementation pitfalls.

Several bills were advanced with amendments and defective dates for further review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HSG Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 9:15 AM HST","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers advanced a set of tenant-related bills: they narrowed a proposal to seal eviction records automatically when tenants prevail (HB 463), added notice clarity for lease expiration (HB 464), modified a no-fault eviction bill (HB 466) and deferred foreclosure protections for additional drafting and possible CDFI exemptions (HB 467).","taxTitle","House Committee on Housing, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25717,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359366,"Committee advances construction-defect reform bill after partisan testimony from builders and homeowners' attorneys",4948,4817000,9765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570&start=4817&end=9765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570/thumbnail_4817000.jpg","/articles/6359366/Hawaii/Committee-advances-construction-defect-reform-bill-after-partisan-testimony-from-builders-and-homeowners-attorneys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359366-f4823d2b41ebc2afc51c08e7a7f5c293/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138490&Signature=gpQphkf~pDR4r89F~BmEtQnSQ0u8WE6PfJjQy5iLe5RVkp3DFKdtgywVSVCIRpEgoyTVIh2oQML3nW76uZvZWLDzDeHKdyhV~9~34j~Bt4FoG9JD8s02PIfs-0Ojnj~VWhKBpAAEa09DxrjxYmmjZNlBgYL-9oYEhWzX78mJmesR7biJVhg5qfShsZ4CoMRYolM4wlbtDLSwUXY3HWLssqTF~b63ggGeCuin8AaqLbvfp51E5nl3xQkAFe2SMf0xy9Lok7UO2kB0mJ4EynmFdmN6574ErVVZi1Cw0qs4dTLeKBrelCd1JnJtgr8tKYYmxkq7eX8rTkwCNcntLDtITQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Housing voted to advance HB 420, a measure that would revise remedies and claims procedures for construction defects, after extensive and often emotional testimony from builders, unions and homeowner advocates.

Supporters including the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Gentry Homes, D.R. Horton and several construction unions said the bill would reduce litigation that delays housing projects, raises costs and restricts lending for new developments. Debbie Looney of Gentry Homes said the measure would allow builders to more quickly fix defects and stabilize costs.

Opponents — including attorneys who represent homeowners and condominium associations — said the bill would unduly limit homeowners’ protections and reduce incentives to build safely. Attorney Kenneth Kazdan told the committee the bill would “do nothing to promote affordable housing” and argued it would reduce important remedies for homeowners. Attorney Terry Revere said parts of the proposal could encourage fraud by protecting developers who concealed defects until statutory deadlines passed.

Several witnesses and committee members debated technical elements of the state’s Contractor Repair Act and the statute of repose. Industry witnesses said the current process incentivizes premature litigation; defense counsel said the proposed tightened timelines could actually increase preemptive lawsuits in some cases. Practitioners asked the committee to send the bill forward for additional drafting in the subsequent committees (CPC and JHA) where staff attorneys can parse constitutional and procedural questions.

The committee advanced HB 420 with a defective date and requested further review of statutory time lines and due-process protections as the bill moves to other panels.

The vote moves HB 420 forward but leaves substantial policy and legal details to later drafting stages.","HB 420, which would change construction-defect remedies and claims procedures, was advanced with amendments after competing testimony from builders, unions and homeowner advocates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359371,"Committee defers 'shot-clock' permitting bill and a county permitting measure for further work",6247,2890000,9137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570&start=2890&end=9137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570/thumbnail_2890000.jpg","/articles/6359371/Hawaii/Committee-defers-shot-clock-permitting-bill-and-a-county-permitting-measure-for-further-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359371-f466c1e8fb862a4d64c43b02006e7d3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138490&Signature=NOT0-KZbfzrQiBrAqCla-akIJOax5USHtI6fEhT~S04X8y0Os9MXsWHm4TFW4iEjJ9d12x6JO~-AfXshwWVGkaUvmqV3GSI-ZNEfn8o0Vy2KPAUNB2YkKzj4yBt8oHOT-KtMkT1sZ2JuVQYPBO-0spWgzVS3nQ9G9Pucb6QS513l0AXzA2RHNKtW4VV7BUblR2cuR8on7NdjjcAyD4YynFIiS31QFFn0mhyYnd0hzl4~CQpR9HWhxYjWGFZoAOX05uB7eUWJoRiu1vTuoKzpvyS8wM8O9iZ19z8nwEHo0315Ccdv~NFAUUU10sg3ad4nZ39JtYFrFPR6TOmHn91x2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee deferred HB 284, a bill that would create a 60-day shot clock for county building permits, and HB 761, dealing with county permitting and inspection roles.

Supporters framed HB 284 as a tool to speed housing production by requiring counties to act on building permits within a set time. Grassroot Institute witness Ted Kefalas testified in favor. State agencies raised concerns about technical feasibility and unintended consequences: the Department of Land and Natural Resources said the proposed language could jeopardize participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, and the Department of Accounting and General Services said implementation would require duplicating county permitting staff.

Committee members said parts of HB 284 may be useful, but that the bill as drafted failed to allow for legitimate reasons to delay or reject permits, to verify infrastructure availability, and to preserve time for archaeological or cultural review where appropriate. The chair said the bill would be deferred to allow more work with counties and agencies.

HB 761 was deferred for similar reasons, with testimony noting that it could duplicate county services and require additional state staffing.

Both measures were deferred to give staff and stakeholders time to refine language and address agency implementation concerns.","Lawmakers deferred HB 284 (shot-clock permitting for housing) and HB 761 (county permitting and inspection changes) after agencies raised implementation and NFIP concerns and members requested language fixes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359375,"Committee advances several historic-preservation bills with amendments aimed at speeding reviews",6524,3074000,9598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570&start=3074&end=9598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570/thumbnail_3074000.jpg","/articles/6359375/Hawaii/Committee-advances-several-historic-preservation-bills-with-amendments-aimed-at-speeding-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359375-b291cb318788e990ee504de81c8aaa18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138490&Signature=QZXqsHLVoqvk~e54S7SvvA5dTQYCcUN4xS-RbCSl1c~WusS9UKF4bavSgscD~VPMt5bJWvmkw7fLY0RdNjy9Kzjmdw8da5JHFaKjdd4LKRTa87VSFyA36DaFt1KDjcjzdAIZ3s908AFqvywyZAisDp5H1lP4lNq2H200OFsjKXUn2EHTooH7ij58yKhH78c-LtcDl94rp8RCHJGo6NSGl9wPP2PrAlIjxZ5QmfgoiBkLOL~SSAcAboi5Sp-aU3regzazC1ywenY1nFzYEfPUYreFVSFJb1IfIy5-b9GHF9mJYjauQXP6~5JDUdldmjptINGp5drSeul~6i91awqz8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Housing voted to pass several bills and technical amendments intended to speed review of projects that interact with historic properties and to narrow the scope of what triggers review.

Lawmakers approved amendments and technical fixes for HB 738, HB 1008, HB 737 and HB 830; the committee adopted changes recommended by the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and other agencies to clarify timelines and scope.

Testimony came from SHPD, county preservation staff, developers, housing advocates and nonprofit preservation groups. SHPD Administrator Jessica Puff and agency staff provided comments and agreed to proposals tying review periods to complete project submittals. The committee adopted a 30-day review window for lower-risk projects and clarified that expedited programmatic review can target residential and majority-residential mixed-use transit-oriented developments, subject to further drafting to avoid overburdening SHPD’s resources.

Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute argued the bills would reduce unnecessary delays. “This bill would help ensure historic properties receive appropriate protection, but the ones that don't necessarily need review don't have to go through that process,” he told the panel.

Historic Hawaii Foundation and other preservation advocates sought narrower language in certain exemptions to avoid unintended removal of protections for districts and individually listed properties. The committee accepted an amendment that removes a circular reference in HRS 6E-42.2 so that single-family homes and townhouses remain exempt from review unless they are individually listed, nominated or located in a historic district.

On HB 830, the committee added authority for SHPD to charge applicants for third-party review costs in limited circumstances and set technical amendments to align timing and definitions; members asked SHPD to return with any all-clear language on mixed-use scope before decision making.

Committee members said the package aims to balance speeding project timelines with preservation of cultural resources and local review processes.

All four bills were moved forward with amendments.","The committee voted to pass multiple historic-preservation measures with amendments intended to streamline review of affordable and transit-oriented projects while preserving cultural safeguards.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359379,"House housing panel defers three competing building-code bills after hours of split testimony",7839,1379000,9218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570&start=1379&end=9218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184929-7ee645522e05f8fe330f1b620d71b570/thumbnail_1379000.jpg","/articles/6359379/Hawaii/House-housing-panel-defers-three-competing-building-code-bills-after-hours-of-split-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359379-c8a86da2199486f75addfc674c063101/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138490&Signature=Jbxiiit4KSPEMooRReyLgCBYoLho-suiH6sqNcpugL47Mo13L~r4obtliCok-GB27iV9XcN~9qslK5aii1u5smSGqPaLPaTVkUsMDkuoLGhe8BZwWwPBld4QSbuirhFmGTc3z8A9oxEnsY7~ApjydTEtTAZ1hUXA2L2PEw~eA6n5se3fj7rSnDSqKeU72TEF4TnlborzyTsbtSOFTv-Jy7BKEd9WrE~5U7xarj6wXyQho9~t4OMj55Y3Rf-5V6mr~l8pFKTUrwWM0oMEl58g2k9uk-wb37BR064qPwT~Og2C-AxFgIK6FmCdJ64pIWkOBtgaeoSQ-gr3PmHrW4npIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Housing deferred three competing building-code bills — HB 1, HB 745 and HB 1321 — for decision making on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

The bills would change how Hawaii adopts building codes. Supporters said the current multi-step process is slow and inconsistent across counties; opponents warned the proposed changes could reduce public safety and strip important statewide oversight.

Committee Chair Esmel announced the deferral after testimony that ranged from industry trade groups and developers pressing for faster, uniform adoption of codes to unions, safety advocates and the International Code Council warning against rolling back statewide standards. Deputy Attorney General Christopher Hahn appeared on Zoom with comments for the committee about statutory cross-references.

Roseanne Freitas, CEO of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, urged passage of HB 1 and said the adoption process had been captured by special interests. “The process has been hijacked by some special interest groups that do promote their agenda at the expense of affordable housing,” Freitas said in testimony supporting HB 1.

Labor and safety voices argued the building code council exists to protect public health and safety. Kika Bukowski of IBW 1260 told the committee he has attended every state building code council meeting and urged the panel not to prioritize cost over safety: “I don't think we should put a price on the safety of the public,” he said.

The International Code Council, represented by Brian Emai, opposed HB 1 and urged lawmakers to fund staff positions for the state building code council so the body can adopt updates in a timely manner. Emai said the bill as drafted could eliminate the council’s ability to adopt an updated statewide code that guides counties and state building projects.

Grassroot Institute witness Ted Kefalas and other proponents argued the process is broken and that some bills would streamline adoption and reduce inconsistent county rules; opponents said counties must retain the ability to set amendments appropriate to local wind, seismic and geographic conditions.

Committee members pressed for clarifications about when counties may exceed or not reduce minimum statewide standards and noted a governor’s emergency proclamation had suspended the code council’s recent activity, complicating the adoption timeline.

The committee recorded the deferrals to allow more time to reconcile competing bills and statutory references.

Votes and procedural outcomes were limited to deferral; no final adoption of code changes occurred at the hearing.","The House Committee on Housing deferred HB 1, HB 745 and HB 1321 to Feb. 5 after more than two hours of testimony that split industry, labor and safety advocates over who should control Hawaii's building codes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee narrows eviction-record sealing, extends lease notice and advances no-fault eviction and foreclosure protections

Committee advances construction-defect reform bill after partisan testimony from builders and homeowners' attorneys

Committee defers 'shot-clock' permitting bill and a county permitting measure for further work

Committee advances several historic-preservation bills with amendments aimed at speeding reviews

House housing panel defers three competing building-code bills after hours of split testimony