Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1740: Relating to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
Status: Signed into law, July 9, 2026
Removes the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and removes the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Amends exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules for certain housing projects developed by the Corporation that satisfy certain conditions, including requirements related to employment, owner-occupancy, and deed restrictions.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to the hawaii housing finance and development corporation.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. SECTION 1. The legislature acknowledges that Hawaii's housing shortage is exacerbated when housing developed or supported through public approvals subsequently exits the pool of housing inventory available to residents. Furthermore, the legislature recognizes that affordability restrictions limited by time may result in units being sold or rented without consideration of local residency or occupancy, thereby undermining the long-term objectives of housing programs. The legislature further finds that perpetual deed restrictions can help preserve residential housing for future generations by ensuring that units are sold exclusively to qualified residents and that occupancy is limited to individuals domiciled within the State. These restrictions are intended to promote local ownership, encourage resident occupancy, and reduce vacant investment holdings and transient usage. 2026--3192 HB1740 CD1 HMSO NO. ~ H.B. Page2 C.D. I Additionally, the legislature notes that the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation requires qualified residents to demonstrate financial viability to purchase or the ability to pay rent for units in certain housing projects. However, lenders and landlords already conduct necessary underwriting and screening, and duplicative reviews by the corporation may cause unwarranted delays and administrative burden. The legislature also recognizes that certain ownershipbased criteria in the existing definition of qualified resident may inadvertently limit mobility for local households …
Sponsors
- Luke Evslin (D, 16) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
- Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
- Daynette Morikawa (D, HD-017)
- Christopher Muraoka (R, 45)
- Ikaika Olds (D, 23)
- Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40)
Latest actions
- : Act 210, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1312).
- : Act 210, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1312).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Grandinetti, Iwamoto, Muraoka, Perruso voting no (8) and none excused (0).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Dela Cruz, McKelvey. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).
- : Deferred one day 05-06-26.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 29-26).
Votes
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Grandinetti, Iwamoto, Muraoka, Perruso voting no (8) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 43 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 1, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (April 28, 2026): 3 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 28, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 24 yea, 1 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Housing, HHFDC, Counties, Prohibition, The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation, Exemptions
Common questions
- What is HB1740?
- HB1740 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
- What does HB1740 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the hawaii housing finance and development corporation.
- What is the status of HB1740?
- Signed into law as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Act 210, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1312). (July 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1740?
- Luke Evslin (D, 16), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1740?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1740&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.