Bill > SB44

This bill amends Section 46-1.5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to expand the powers of counties by explicitly allowing them to enact ordinances that prohibit housing discrimination based on a renter's source of income. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing law's language about rental property regulations by adding the phrase "including the power to prohibit discrimination against a renter based on the renter's source of income" to the section detailing county powers. This means that counties in Hawaii would now have the legal authority to create local ordinances that prevent landlords from refusing to rent to tenants simply because their income comes from sources like housing vouchers, Social Security, unemployment benefits, or other forms of assistance. The bill represents a straightforward expansion of local government's ability to protect renters from potential economic discrimination in housing, giving counties more tools to ensure fair access to rental housing for all residents regardless of their income source.

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=44&year=2025