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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1593 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to affordable housing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that for many Hawaii families, companion animals are beloved members of the household and contribute significantly to residents' emotional and physical well-being. Yet, many renters, especially those in affordable or publicly funded housing, are unable to find housing that permits pets, forcing some to surrender or abandon animals when they move. National and local shelter data show that a lack of pet-inclusive housing is among the leading reasons that animals are relinquished to shelters, imposing stress on families and communities. The legislature further finds that these restrictions disproportionately affect low-income households, limiting how they can define their families and reducing overall housing stability.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote pet‑inclusive affordable rental housing by requiring affordable rental housing development projects funded by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to allow residents to own or maintain common household pets, subject to reasonable conditions that protect health, safety, and property.
SECTION 2. Chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§201H- Pet-inclusive
affordable rental housing. (a)
For any rental housing development project that receives financing or
any financial assistance from the corporation after July 1, 2026, the
corporation shall require that the housing development's lease or occupancy
agreement authorize a resident of a dwelling unit to own or otherwise maintain
one or more common household pets within the resident's dwelling unit; provided
that the resident complies with:
(1) All applicable
state laws and county ordinances relating to public health, animal control, and
animal anti-cruelty; and
(2) Any reasonable
conditions.
(b) No
monthly fee shall be imposed on a tenant for the ownership or maintenance of a
common household pet in the housing development. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a
landlord from collecting a refundable security deposit for pet-related damages,
in accordance with section 521‑44.
(c) This section shall not be construed to limit
or otherwise affect any federal or state law requiring reasonable
accommodations for an individual with a disability who maintains an assistance
animal or service animal, or emotional support animal.
(d) Nothing in this section shall alter or affect
the rights or duties of a landlord with respect to preventing harm or damage to
third parties caused by a resident's common household pet.
(e) The corporation may adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 91 to implement this section, including model lease language, pet
policy guidelines, and compliance procedures.
(f) For purposes of this section:
"Common household pet" means a
domesticated animal, including but not limited to a dog or a cat, that is
commonly kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes.
"Reasonable conditions" includes
but are not limited to:
(1) Policies
regarding nuisance behaviors;
(2) Leash
requirements;
(3) Proof of
vaccination or licensing;
(4) Requirements to
carry liability insurance coverage;
(5) Limitations on
the number of animals in a dwelling unit based on the unit's size; or
(6) Prohibitions on
dogs that have been designated as dangerous dogs pursuant to part III of
chapter 711.
"Reasonable conditions" does not include a prohibition on a breed of common household pet or a limitation based solely on the weight of the animal."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
HHFDC; Affordable Rental Housing; Pet Inclusive
Description:
Requires, for any affordable rental housing development project that receives financing or any financial assistance from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, that the Corporation require the housing development lease or occupancy agreement to allow residents to own or otherwise maintain one or more common household pets.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.