RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

HB1776

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1776

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the residential landlord-tenant code
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that Hawaii faces a
severe housing crisis, and that approximately fifty-six per cent of the renters
in the State are rent burdened, meaning over thirty per cent of their income is
dedicated to paying their rent.
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Many of
these households are increasingly vulnerable to housing cost-burden,
insecurity, and displacement.

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The legislature further finds that
federal and state laws afford tenants certain protections and rights, including
but not limited to laws that:

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(1)
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Safeguard public
health, safety, and welfare by setting forth minimum dwelling unit standards;

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(2)
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Establish rights
and responsibilities of tenants and landlords;

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(3)
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Establish
processes related to residential evictions; and

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(4)
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Protect tenants
from discrimination based on certain classifications.

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The legislature also finds that
landlord-tenant laws are self-help laws that put the onus on renters to access
their rights through private action.
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This often presents major barriers to justice for tenants who are often
already overwhelmed, under-resourced, and fearful of retaliation.
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Without legal expertise, many renters may
struggle to understand and access their rights as articulated in their lease
agreements and under the residential landlord-tenant code.

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The legislature believes that
providing accessible and accurate information to tenants concerning existing
laws that protect tenants, the rights afforded under such laws, and the
resources available to assist tenants will enable renters to address certain
challenges and potentially assist them to avoid eviction and homelessness.
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The legislature further believes that
promoting access to accurate information will also improve housing stability
across the state of Hawaii.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to:

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(1)
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Require the office
of consumer protection to periodically publish an accessible, multilingual notice
of tenant rights; and

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(2)
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Require a landlord
to provide a tenant with a notice of tenant rights upon the signing of a lease.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:

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�521-A
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Notice of tenant rights; publication.
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(a)
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The office of consumer protection shall develop, maintain, and
periodically publish a notice of tenant rights that summarizes the rights of
tenants under chapter 521 and any other applicable federal or state law.

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(b)
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The notice of tenant rights shall at a
minimum be:

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(1)
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Made available
in printed and electronic formats;

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(2)
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Translated into
the most commonly spoken languages in the State, as determined by the office of
consumer protection, in consultation with the office of language access; and

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(3)
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Accessible to
individuals with disabilities, including compliance with applicable
accessibility standards for electronic documents.

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(c)
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The office of consumer protection shall review
and update the notice of tenant rights no less than once every year, or sooner
as necessary to reflect changes in the applicable law.
"

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SECTION 3.
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Chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

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�521-B
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Notice of
tenant rights; disclosure.
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(a)
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A landlord shall provide a tenant with a copy
of the notice of tenant rights, either physically or digitally, published by
the office of consumer protection pursuant to section 521-A at or before the
time the tenant signs a written rental agreement.

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(b)
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A landlord who fails to comply with this
section shall be subject to a fine of no more than
$ .
"

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SECTION 4.
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In codifying the new sections added by
sections 2 and 3 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute
appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new
sections in this Act.

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SECTION
5.
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New statutory material is
underscored.

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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Office of
Consumer Protection; Notice of Tenant Rights

Description:

Requires the Office of Consumer Protection to periodically
publish an accessible, multilingual notice of tenant rights.
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Requires a landlord to provide a tenant with
a copy of the notice of tenant rights.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.