STAND. COM. REP. NO. 931

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 393

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 393, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LANDLORD-TENANT CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote the use of mediation for certain landlord-tenant disputes.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Until December 31, 2024:

(A) Extends the period for notice of termination of a rental agreement;

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

(C) Requires landlords to include specific information in the notice provided to tenants and certain mediation centers;

(2) Appropriates moneys for the pre-litigation mediation program; and

(3) Appropriates moneys for and creates an emergency rent relief program to provide resources to help certain participants in pre-litigation mediation to avoid eviction and maintain stable tenancies.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Hawaii REALTORS.

Your Committee finds that extending the pre-litigation mediation program created by Act 57, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, will help many residents of the State to remain in stable housing and avoid costly judicial proceedings and judgments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 393, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair