H.R. 35 Summary

• Counties are requested to notify potential buyers at real property tax sales of the potential lack of title insurance, which may prevent future resale or mortgage financing of those properties.

• Establishes a working group comprising chairs or designees from Senate Commerce/Consumer Protection/Health Committee, House Consumer Protection/Commerce Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, House Judiciary Committee, and a Hawaii State Bar Association member from collection law or real property/financial services sections.

• Working group must report findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2021 Regular Session convenes.

• Addresses concerns that buyers in nonjudicial foreclosures and real property tax delinquency sales may face substantial expenses on properties they cannot resell or refinance due to title insurance unavailability.

• Certified copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to each county mayor and the President of the Hawaii State Bar Association.