Bill Text: HI HB242 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 242 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Condominiums.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-10 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC/JUD with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Gates, Ing excused (2). [HB242 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2017-HB242-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	242
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many condominium unit owners lack familiarity with the laws pertaining to condominium ownership. This puts unit owners at a disadvantage in adversarial proceedings against a condominium's board of directors, which is often represented by an attorney. The legislature further finds that some individuals are losing their homes in these proceedings.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a condominium unit owner hotline to provide unit owners with legal information in matters relating to disputes with the board of directors.

SECTION 2. Chapter 514B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§514B- Condominium unit owner hotline. (a) There is established within the department of commerce and consumer affairs real estate branch a condominium unit owner hotline. The hotline shall be operated by the commission for the purpose of providing condominium unit owners with legal information in matters relating to disputes with a condominium's board of directors.

(b) The hotline shall be toll free and available Monday through Friday during normal business hours, excluding state and federal holidays.

(c) The commission may charge a reasonable fee for individuals requesting assistance from the hotline; provided that the fee shall be waived for low-income individuals. To qualify as low-income, an individual shall have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

(1) $25,290, for a household size of one;

(2) $34,096, for a household size of two;

(3) $42,902, for a household size of three;

(4) $51,708, for a household size of four;

(5) $60,514, for a household size of five;

(6) $69,320, for a household size of six;

(7) $78,126, for a household size of seven; and

(8) $86,968, for a household size of eight.

For households with more than eight people, the commission shall adjust the qualifying annual household income amount by adding $8,843 per additional person to the dollar amount listed in paragraph (8)."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the condominium unit owner hotline.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2099.

Report Title:

Condominiums; Low-Income Households; Hotline

Description:

Establishes a Condominium Unit Owner Hotline to provide unit owners with legal information relating to disputes with a condominium's board of directors. Services are provided free of charge for qualifying low-income households. Appropriates funds. (HB242 HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.