HI SR147

Requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) and University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to study how federal military housing allowances affect Hawaii's rental market conditions.

Approximately 95,466 active-duty military personnel, family members, and dependents are stationed in Hawaii, with about 60% (roughly 14,700 homes) residing in the private rental market rather than on-base housing.

Current Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Hawaii range from $2,598 to $5,040 per month depending on rank and experience, which may contribute to upward pressure on rental prices in a supply-constrained market.

Study would analyze rental price trends by island/county, whether rents cluster around BAH levels near military installations, landlord pricing behavior, and potential displacement of local working families.

Report with findings and recommendations due to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2027 Regular Session.