STAND. COM. REP. NO. 882-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2642

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2642, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EVICTION MEDIATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Modify the notice requirements when terminating a rental agreement on or after November 1, 2024;

(2) Require tenants and landlords to engage in mediation and delay filing an action for summary possession if a tenant schedules or attempts to schedule mediation;

(3) Require landlords to provide specific information to tenants; and

(4) Appropriate funds for the Judiciary to contract for mediation services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc.; Aloha United Way; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Waipahu Safe Haven Center; Partners in Care; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Housing Affordability Coalition; Hawaii Community Lending; and numerous individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2642, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair