HI SB2227

Establishes the State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund within the state treasury, funded by transaction taxes from Land Court and Bureau of Conveyances recordings and legislative appropriations.

Provides qualified tenants with 6-12 months of rental assistance payments, with tenants paying 30% of their income toward rent and the state subsidizing the difference up to $2,000 per month.

Prioritizes rental assistance for kupuna aged 62 or older, families with children under 18, and tenants with disabilities, with preference given to those earning at or below 80% of area median income.

Appropriates $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 into the special fund and creates five new permanent public housing specialist positions to administer the program.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to assess a transaction tax equal to twice the applicable recording fees on land court and conveyance recordings to fund the program.