Bill > HB225

This bill establishes a comprehensive working group within the Department of the Attorney General to study and address the complex issue of squatting in Hawaii. The working group, chaired by the Attorney General, will include representatives from law enforcement, judicial system, government agencies, legal organizations, and housing experts, who will analyze various aspects of squatting, such as defining squatting behaviors, identifying different circumstances where squatting occurs (like vacant properties or foreclosure situations), and developing recommendations for prevention and resolution. The group will examine legal and policy considerations including trespass, adverse possession, eviction processes, and community impacts, with the goal of creating more effective strategies for handling squatting incidents. The working group is required to submit a preliminary report before the 2026 legislative session and a final report before the 2027 legislative session, after which the group will be dissolved. Members will serve without compensation but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses, reflecting the state's commitment to thoroughly understanding and addressing this challenging housing issue.

Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=225&year=2025