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Bill Summary · SB 288

Legislative bill overview

SB 288 is a Hawaii housing-related bill introduced by Senator Ron Kouchi that was referred to the House Committee on Housing and Economic and Industrial Development (HOU/EIG) and the Ways and Means Committee (WAM). The bill passed its first reading in January 2025 but was carried over to the 2026 regular session before substantive committee action occurred.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces a severe housing affordability crisis with among the highest median home prices and rental costs in the nation relative to local incomes. Any legislative action addressing housing has potential statewide significance for residents' ability to afford shelter and for economic stability.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope unclear: Without access to the bill's full text, the specific mechanisms (zoning reform, tax incentives, public housing investment, rental regulations, etc.) cannot be assessed for their actual policy impacts or trade-offs
  • Committee referral to WAM suggests fiscal implications: The bill likely requires funding, raising questions about budget priorities and whether resources come from new revenue or existing allocations
  • Implementation timeline: Carryover to 2026 may indicate complexity or disagreement requiring additional deliberation, or insufficient legislative bandwidth in the 2025 session

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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