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SCR 87

STRONGLY URGING THE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO ALLOW FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON'S EXAMINATION IN THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE FOR PURPOSES OF ISSUING A FULL REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON'S LICENSE, LIMITED TO THE SALE OF TIMESHARE PRODUCTS IN HAWAII, TO PROMOTE THE SALE OF THESE PRODUCTS TO JAPANESE-SPEAKING VISITORS AND ENHANCE JAPAN'S INVOLVEMENT IN AND SUPPORT OF THE HAWAII TOURISM INDUSTRY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lynn DeCoite and 1 co-sponsor

SCR 87 urges Hawaii's Real Estate Commission to offer the salesperson exam in Japanese and issue licenses limited to timeshare sales, boosting Japanese-speaking staff for visitors.

Referred to EDT, CPN.
#japaneselanguage #realestatesalesperson'sexamination #timeshareproducts
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Bill Summary · SCR 87

Summary — SCR 87 (2025): Japanese‑Language Real Estate Salesperson Exam for Timeshare Sales in Hawaii

Purpose

SCR 87 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Hawaii Real Estate Commission to offer the real estate salesperson’s (licensing) examination in Japanese and to use that option to issue full real estate salesperson licenses limited to the sale of timeshare products. The resolution’s stated intent is to promote timeshare sales to Japanese‑speaking visitors and strengthen Japan’s involvement in and support of Hawaii’s tourism economy.

Key provisions

  • Strongly urges the Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) to:
    • Allow administration of the real estate salesperson’s examination in the Japanese language; and
    • Issue full real estate salesperson licenses, limited to timeshare product sales in Hawaii, to applicants who pass the exam in Japanese.
  • Requests that the Commission use its existing statutory authority under chapter 467, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to implement this change — no statutory amendment is requested.
  • Asks that certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and to Real Estate Commission leadership.

Who is affected

  • Real Estate Commission / DCCA — asked to implement the change using existing rulemaking or administrative authority.
  • Prospective Japanese‑speaking real estate salespersons — may gain access to a Japanese‑language licensing pathway focused on timeshare sales.
  • Timeshare industry and developers/operators — could have improved ability to recruit licensed, Japanese‑language sales staff.
  • Japanese‑speaking visitors and prospective purchasers — may have increased access to sales staff and marketing in their native language.
  • Consumers and regulators — consumer‑protection considerations (translation accuracy, exam equivalence, scope of license) would be relevant if implemented.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Offered: March 7, 2025; referred to relevant committees (Economic Development & Tourism; Consumer Protection/Commerce).
  • Introduced in Senate: May 21, 2025; Senate passage recorded (vote noted in legislative actions).
  • Passed both chambers (House passage noted June 25, 2025).
  • Enrolled and filed with Secretary of State and chaptered as Res. Chapter 139, Statutes of 2025 (filed July 10, 2025).

Legal effect and next steps

  • As a concurrent resolution, SCR 87 is non‑binding; it urges and requests action rather than imposing a legal requirement.
  • Implementation would require the Real Estate Commission to: determine translation/validation standards, decide proctoring and administration logistics, set any limitations on license scope (timeshare only), and address consumer‑protection oversight.
  • Practical considerations include ensuring exam equivalence and accuracy of translation, monitoring passage rates and consumer outcomes, and potential need for administrative resources.

Potential impacts

  • Supporters cite potential increases in timeshare sales to Japanese visitors, greater repeat visitation, and enhanced local economic contributions.
  • Implementation would need safeguards to preserve licensing standards and consumer protections.

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

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