STAND. COM. REP. NO. 576-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1593

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1593 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require 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.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society; Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain; American Kennel Club; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Your Committee finds that the inability of many renters to keep their common household pets contributes to housing instability and leads to the unnecessary surrender of animals, which strains families and community shelter systems. Your Committee further finds that requiring pet-inclusive policies in affordable rental housing developments receiving assistance from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation will help support residents' emotional well‑being, reduce pet relinquishment, and promote stable tenancies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1593, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1593, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair