STATE BILLHI HB 2197ENGROSSED

Relating To Property.

Specifies a process by which property owners may utilize law enforcement officers to remove unauthorized individuals from dwellings. Establishes the criminal offenses of squatting and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property. Makes the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree for a person who knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling or in or upon the premises of a hotel or apartment building a class C felony, rather than a misdemeanor. Classifies the type of property damage typically inflicted by squatters as a form of criminal property damage in the second degree. Classifies the falsification of documentation typically performed by squatters as a form of unsworn falsification to authorities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Status: Engrossed; Passed its first chamber
Status date: Mar 10, 2026; 247 days ago
Current chamber: Senate
Session: 2026 Regular Session

HI HB 2197 · EngrossedMar 10

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Bill details

Last action: Referred to CPN/PSM, JDC. · Mar 12, 2026
Pending committee: Commerce and Consumer Protection

Sponsor

JTJenna TakenouchiRepresentative · Democrat · HD-027Primary sponsor

Bill history

Newest first.

Mar 12, 2026Referred to CPN/PSM, JDC.Senate

Mar 12, 2026Passed First Reading.Senate

Mar 12, 2026Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 376).Senate

Mar 10, 2026Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.House

Mar 6, 2026Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.House

Mar 6, 2026Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1123-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.House

Mar 4, 2026The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran.House

Feb 27, 2026Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-04-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.House

Show 7 earlier actions

Feb 19, 2026Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).House

Feb 19, 2026Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 526-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.House

Feb 17, 2026The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Hartsfield.House

Feb 12, 2026Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 02-17-26 9:30AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.House

Jan 30, 2026Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 5House

Jan 28, 2026Introduced and Pass First Reading.House

Jan 26, 2026Pending introduction.House

Subjects

Real Property
Dwellings
Squatters
Removal
Hawaii Penal Code
Criminal Trespass

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