Bill > SB825

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to help address rent payment challenges by modifying landlord-tenant eviction procedures. Starting February 5, 2026, the bill extends the notice period for terminating a rental agreement from five business days to ten calendar days and requires landlords and tenants to engage in mandatory mediation before filing an eviction action. The notice must include specific details such as contact information for both parties, the amount of rent due, and information about the mediation process. Landlords must provide the notice to a state-funded mediation center, which will then contact both parties to schedule a mediation within 30 days. If a tenant schedules mediation, the landlord must delay filing an eviction action, and the mediation can occur remotely or in-person. Each party will be responsible for their own mediation costs, but if a tenant fails to attend mediation or defaults on a mediated agreement, the landlord may seek to recover their attorneys' fees. The judiciary will receive $1,250,000 to support the mediation services, and they are required to submit a report to the legislature after the pilot program concludes, recommending whether the program should become permanent. The bill is set to sunset on February 4, 2028, though the extended notice period will remain in effect.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=825&year=2025