HI SCR156

Requests the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to study how taxation and eminent domain could impact housing prices and availability in Hawaii.

Study should evaluate policies targeting vacant and surplus housing (unoccupied for more than 6 months per year) and properties owned by institutional investors who rent single-family homes.

UHERO must assess impacts on housing sale prices, rental prices, housing supply, and the state economy generally, and include findings on legality and administrability of proposed programs.

Study should examine examples like Vancouver's Empty Homes Tax, which reduced vacancies by over 50% and generated over $35 million in revenue.

Report with findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, must be submitted to the Legislature no later than 40 days before the 2026 Regular Session.