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Bill Summary · HB 949

Legislative bill overview

HB 949 modifies Hawaii's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, a federal tax incentive mechanism that encourages private investment in affordable rental housing development. The bill passed the Economic Development Committee with amendments in February 2025 but was carried over to the 2026 session for further consideration, suggesting contentious issues remain unresolved.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces a severe affordable housing shortage, with median rents among the highest in the nation. The LIHTC is one of the primary federal tools states use to incentivize affordable housing construction, making modifications to this program directly impact housing availability and affordability for low-income residents across the islands.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of amendments unclear: The bill underwent HD 2 amendments before committee passage, but the specific changes are not detailed in the action summary, leaving uncertainty about what stakeholders opposed
  • Financial committee jurisdiction: The bill was referred to the Finance Committee after ECD approval, suggesting budget or revenue implications that may have caused the carry-over
  • Federal-state compliance: Any changes to state LIHTC administration must align with federal tax code requirements, potentially limiting flexibility and creating implementation challenges

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

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