HI SCR65

Request that the Hawaii Community Development Authority adopt administrative rules to fine residential property owners who keep habitable dwelling units vacant for more than four months in any calendar year.

Self-reporting owners by March 15 shall be fined 1% of county assessed value for 4-6 months vacancy or 2% for more than 6 months vacancy; non-reporting owners shall be fined 2% or 4% respectively at the same thresholds.

Authorize the authority to offer rewards up to 25% of collected fines to individuals who provide evidence of unreported violations, excluding owners, their relatives, and government employees.

Direct collected fine revenues to the Hawaii community development revolving fund to cover enforcement costs, with remainder used to subsidize rental housing assistance under Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937.

Establish exemptions from the four-month vacancy threshold for specified circumstances including owner death (12 months), major renovations (24 months), property transfers (6 months), military deployment, bankruptcy proceedings, court orders, and demonstrated financial hardship.