HB 1902 Summary

• Clarifies that emergency management powers must be consistent with the Hawaii State Constitution and federal law.

• Reduces the duration of price control prohibitions during emergencies from 96 hours to 72 hours, though price controls can be extended by supplementary proclamation and limited to specific commodities.

• Establishes residential tenant protections including rent suspension for up to 6 months (in two 3-month periods), eviction moratoriums, and automatic lease renewals at current rates during proclaimed emergencies.

• Creates foreclosure and mortgage payment deferment programs allowing mortgagors to defer payments for up to 3 years with extended repayment periods during declared emergencies.

• Provides loan deferment protections for student, commercial, and consumer loans up to 6 months with no interest accrual, and allows residents to request exclusion of adverse credit information during emergencies.