STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3320

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1679

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1679, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify a condominium association board's authority with respect to calling and authorizing electronic meetings, electronic voting at electronic meetings, electronic voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting; and

(2) Clarify that proxies are only to be used for any voting conducted at a meeting.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Association of Parliamentarians Legislative Committee, Palehua Townhouses Association, Associa, Association of Owners of Kukui Plaza, AOAO Lakeview Sands, and ten individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Honolulu Tower and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that existing law relating to condominium association electronic meetings, electronic voting, and mail voting requires further clarification and guidance. This measure would align existing language with the reality of condominium operations to make condominium association meetings more efficient, simplify the voting process during a declared state of emergency, and clarify that electronic voting and mail voting may be utilized for association business.

Your Committee has amended this measure by repealing language in existing law that authorizes a unit owner to vote by mail or electronic transmission through a duly executed proxy.

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. 1679, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1679, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair