HB489Introduced in the House
Relating To Vacant Homes.
Introduced by Kim Iwamoto, District 25
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Establishes a Vacant Homes Special Fund under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for rental assistance programs. Establishes a general excise tax surcharge on an owner that allows a residential real property to remain vacant for 180 days or more a year. Requires persons who own residential real property, but do not live there, to obtain a general excise tax license. Requires the counties to disclose to the Department of Taxation a list of properties classified as not being occupied by an owner of that property. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to calculate average annual rental value for the basis for the surcharge amount.
Where it stands
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
December 8, 2025
How did lawmakers vote?
No recorded vote is available for this bill yet.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
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Bill history
Pending introduction.
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
Referred to HSG, ECD, FIN, referral sheet 2
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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