Government Affairs Update
March 14, 2008
BILLS OF INTEREST
SB644 - MANDATORY SOLAR HEATING ON NEW SINGLE-FAMILY DETATCHED RESIDENCES
HAR testified that in light of the lack of housing affordability and inventory, it wasn't an economically good time to enact the bill. We believe the State should continue with the rebate
program currently in place which has made solar more attractive for consumers who want to retrofit their homes. The bill passed with amendments to postpone the mandate to January 1, 2010 and to exempt the mandate for locations where it does not make practical and economical sense.
HCR120/HR102 - RECOMMENDING THAT REALTORS PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN.
HAR testified that REALTORS® support the principles of universal design; however, are not trained or have the necessary experience to develop standards for determining whether a property incorporates universal design. The resolutions passed with amendments to replace references of REALTORS® with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and to direct NAHB to work with the Hawaii Disability and Access Board.
HB2523 - LAND USE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER COUNTY GENERAL PLAN
HAR testified in support of this bill which requires the Land Use Commission to consider the County General Plan and all community, development, or community development plans adopted pursuant to the County General Plan in relation to the land subject to reclassification. Counties have become experienced and better able to deal with urban land use planning.
HB2326 - MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE RESCUERS
This bill protects homeowners who face property foreclosures, liens, or encumbrances (distressed property) by:
(1) Requiring contracts for distressed property consultation services or conveyances to be in writing with minimum disclosures and a homeowner's right of cancellation;
(2) Establishing requirements for distressed property leases;
(3) Prohibiting certain acts by distressed property consultants;
(4) Limiting the amount a distressed property purchaser can charge for a homeowner to repurchase the distressed property in a distressed property conveyance contract; and
(5) Establishing a minimum amount of consideration to be paid to the homeowner in a distressed property conveyance contract.
HB1075 - CONDITIONS ON COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LEASES
This bill alters certain lease conditions in existing long-term leases of commercial and industrial properties. Similar legislation has been introduced in the past that attempts to alter lease terms to the benefit of lessees and to the detriment of lessors. HAR did not weight in but is monitoring the bill.
For the most current and detailed information on bills, go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov for bill status and descriptions.