H.B. 2328 Summary

• Establishes a statewide rent stabilization law effective July 1, 2022, limiting rent increases to a maximum percentage (amount not specified in text) at the end of lease terms or every 12 months, whichever is longer, with exceptions for vacant units where landlords may charge any amount.

• Exempts from rent stabilization requirements single-family residences renting to unrelated parties, new structures less than a specified number of years old, short-term hotel/motel accommodations under 30 days, government-operated affordable housing, and institutional facilities providing medical or educational services.

• Creates a Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee jointly headed by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority executive director and Commerce and Consumer Affairs director to recommend annual rental adjustments, eviction limitations, and fair return standards for landlords.

• Allows tenants to refuse unlawful rent increases as a defense against eviction and provides remedies including damages of a specified dollar amount or three times the excess rent charged, plus attorney's fees for prevailing parties.

• Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to study incentive programs used by other states to encourage landlords to stabilize rents and report findings to the legislature by 2023.