STAND. COM. REP. NO. 992

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 279

       H.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 279, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESPERSONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the Real Estate Commission to take disciplinary action if a real estate broker or real estate salesperson for a seller or buyer of real estate acts in a manner that prohibits a prospective buyer or seller from being able to retain a real estate broker or real estate salesperson.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Real Estate Commission.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS.

     Your Committee finds that this measure adds a new basis for disciplinary action against a real estate broker or salesperson who acts in a manner that prohibits a seller or purchaser of real estate from retaining the services of a real estate broker or salesperson.  According to testimony received by your Committee, there may be instances where prospective buyers are prohibited from obtaining the services of a real estate broker or salesperson when purchasing real estate.  This measure discourages these practices and protects consumers by focusing on the conduct of a real estate broker or salesperson acting on behalf of either the seller or the purchaser.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 279, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair