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SCR 156

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI ECONOMIC RESEARCH ORGANIZATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE USE OF TAXATION AND EMINENT DOMAIN ON THE PRICE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING IN THE STATE TO ADDRESS THE CONCENTRATION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AMONG OWNERS OF VACANT AND SURPLUS HOUSING AND INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR PROPERTY OWNERS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Rhoads

Hawaii requests study on using taxation and eminent domain to reduce concentrated property ownership and improve housing affordability by analyzing impact on prices and availability.

Referred to HRE/HOU.
#eminentdomain #institutionalinvestorproperty #report #residentialpropertyownership #study #surplushousing #taxation #uhero #vacanthousing
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Bill Summary · SCR 156

Legislative bill overview

SCR 156 requests that the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization conduct a comprehensive study examining how taxation and eminent domain policies could affect housing prices and availability while addressing concentrated property ownership by vacant property holders and institutional investors. The bill seeks data-driven analysis to inform potential policy responses to Hawaiʻi's housing affordability crisis.

Why is this important

Hawaiʻi faces severe housing affordability challenges, with some of the highest property costs in the nation. Understanding whether targeted taxation on vacant properties or strategic use of eminent domain could increase housing availability and lower prices could shape future legislation affecting thousands of residents and property owners. The study could provide evidence for or against controversial policy tools.

Potential points of contention

  • Eminent domain concerns: Opponents may argue that expanded eminent domain use threatens property rights and investor confidence, while supporters view it as necessary to address housing scarcity caused by speculation and underutilization
  • Tax policy debate: Questions about whether vacancy taxes or investor property taxes effectively reduce prices versus potentially discouraging new construction or causing costs to pass to renters
  • Scope and implementation: Disagreement over which policy tools the study should prioritize and whether findings would lead to binding legislation or remain advisory

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

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