Government Affairs Update

February 8 , 2008

In previous years, HAR provided a service to keep members informed on issues important to them and the real estate industry by providing copies of testimonies submitted.

HAR is doing it once again, in addition to testimonies submitted by other organizations and department, thanks to the service provided by the Hawaii State Legislature.

> Go to the Testimony Section

TESTIMONIES
HAR testified on a number of bills this week that is of interest to real estate in Hawaii. Some are listed for you below.

• DESCRIPTION: Supported the intent on requiring sellers to disclose whether a building or structure was built or improved under an owner-builder permit. REALTORS are already providing the service, as outlined in the Seller's Real Property Disclosure form.
  • H.B. 3107 passed with amendments.

• DESCRIPTION: Supported a bill to preclude RICO from disclosing the existence of consumer complaints against REALTORS until and unless those complaints results in legal action.
  • S.B. 2059 passed unamended.

• DESCRIPTION: Supported the filing for a contested case hearing to determine jurisdiction over a public road and establishes the determination process, commonly known as Roads-in-Limbo, where neither county or state has jurisdiction.
  • H.B. 3415 passed unamended.

• DESCRIPTION: Provided comments on the creation of a protected class for victims of domestic violence in rental housing. Conditions include that a victim can terminate the rental agreement at anytime with no penalty. Second, if the tenant has an expired rental agreement or no rental agreement, as long as they pay rent they are allowed to stay, which negates the Landlord tenant code regarding holdover tenants and increase of rent.
  • S.B. 2208 passed unamended.
  • H.B. 2762 passed with amendments.

• DESCRIPTION: Opposed the requirement that landlords add 6% interest to security deposits returned to tenants.
  • S.B. 2802 was deferred.

• DESCRIPTION: Opposed the regular surveys of residents of multi-unit residential buildings on specific needs and issues relating to medical needs. Requirment will violate the Fair Housing Act.
  • S.B. 2046 was deferred.
  • H.B. 2120 was deferred.

• DESCRIPTION: Supported an increase in Hula Mae multifamily revenue bond authority from $400 million to $500 million to provide financing assistance for the development and preservation/rehabilitation of affordable housing.
  • S.B. 2980 passed unamended.

2008 ELECTION FEVER
Known as Super Tuesday, 24 states held primaries, caucuses or a convention to select the party's presidential candidate. Democrats had contests in 22 states with 1,681 delegates at stake, and Republicans had contests in 21 states and 1,038 delegates at stake. 

Hawaii Democrats will decide who its Democrat presidential candidate on February 19. Hawaii Republicans chose their Republican candidate on February 7.

> Go to the Washington Post

Stay tuned in the coming months as we provide more information into the various races in addition to information on our candidate selection process.

For the most current and detailed information on bills, go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov for bill status and descriptions.

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