All Roll Calls
Yes: 214 • No: 4
HawaiiSB 25442025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)SenateWALLET
RELATING TO HOUSING.
Sponsored By: Troy N. Hashimoto (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
HHFDCDURFHawaii Builds Pilot ProgramExemptionsPermit ReviewsInteragency CoordinationReportsHSG, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster housing projects for local households
The law creates a five-year Hawaii Builds pilot to speed up multi-unit housing for households earning 60% to 140% of area median income. The housing agency must designate at least one project in each county, and sites need enough water, sewer, and transportation capacity. Most units must meet the state’s affordable-housing requirements; qualifying sites without residential zoning can receive exemptions. The agency can use up to $20 million per fiscal year from the housing revolving fund for early project work and construction equity, and must give pilot projects top priority for that fund. State and county agencies must prioritize project reviews: the Department of Health has 60 days for covered safety and water reviews, while county planning officials have 45 days to process required exemptions without county legislative approval. The agency’s board must approve project contracts, which are exempt from the usual state procurement code. New projects can be designated through June 30, 2031; earlier projects remain covered until completion. Reports to the Legislature are due each year from 2027 through 2032, at least 20 days before the regular session. The law aims to increase housing supply but does not guarantee a home or lower costs for any household.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Troy N. Hashimoto
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Stanley Chang
Democratic • Senate
Kurt Fevella
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/29/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 2 • No: 1
House vote • 4/9/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 48 • No: 1
House vote • 4/7/2026
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 16 • No: 0
House vote • 3/25/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 3/20/2026
The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 216, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1318).
7/8/2026SenateAct 216, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1318).
7/8/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/8/2026SenatePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
5/6/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Amato voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Iwamoto voting no (2) and none excused (0).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
5/6/2026HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/29/2026SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Cochran; and 0 Excused: none.
4/29/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 42-26).
4/29/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
4/29/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 42-26) as amended in (CD 1).
4/29/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
4/29/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 10:00AM in conference room 224.
4/28/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 10:05AM in conference room 224.
4/27/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 10:05AM in conference room 224.
4/24/2026HouseBill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 10:05AM in conference room 224.
4/23/2026HouseHouse Conferees Appointed: Evslin, Miyake Co-Chairs; Cochran.
4/21/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
4/21/2026SenateSenate Conferees Appointed: Chang Chair; Hashimoto Co-Chair; Rhoads.
4/21/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
4/21/2026HouseReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 511).
4/10/2026SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/10/2026SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).
4/10/2026HouseReported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2018-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
4/9/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB2544_CD1
SB2544_HD1
SB2544_SD1
SB2544_SD2
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