Bill Clarifying the Revocation, Suspension and Fine Provisions for Real Estate Licensees at Final Stages

Senate Bill 3002, which HAR strongly supports, amends provisions relating to the licensing and penalties of real estate brokers and salespersons by clarifying that real estate brokers and salespersons:

1. Cannot be held liable for misrepresentations based upon a good faith reliance on the information provided by a reputable property inspector, seller of representative of the seller, surveyor, contractor, licensed professional, community or homeowner’s association representative, public record or property manager;
2. Cannot be held liable for failure to ascertain and disclose all material facts concerning a property if there was a good faith reliance on a prepared disclosure statement; and
3. Allows the Regulated Industries Complaints Office and Real Estate Commission to determine whether the real estate licensee relied in good faith on the information provided.

The measure can either go to Conference Committee or be approved and head to the Governor’s Office where he can sign it into law, not sign it into law or veto it.   

Link to HAR Testimony >>

Volunteers to Serve on State’s Board and Commissions

The Office of the Governor oversees over 150 boards and commissions that are established by the state constitution, state statutes, or executive orders. Boards and commissions are designed to get input from a broad cross section of Hawaii’s residents, and consequently, the majority of members are volunteers. These boards and commissions include the state Real Estate Commission, state Land Use Commission, the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, the Stadium Authority, Aloha Tower Development Corporation, and many others.

Read the List of Boards & Commissions PDF >>

Click here to submit an application >>

Department of Labor & Industrial Relations On-the-Job Training Program

On-The-Job Training (OJT) is a 100% Federally-funded program targeted toward employers to help defray their training costs when hiring laid-off or ‘dislocated’ workers. This program is a great opportunity for employers to hire new employees while minimizing their overall training costs. Funds are available for a limited time.

Click here to read more information on the program >>

04.23.11 GAC Bulletin

Read the 04.23.11 GAC Bulletin

Owner-Builders Apply for Exemptions

Since July owner-builders have begun to  take advantage of the new amendents which allow for the sale of their property within a one-year period if:

1.  Construction or improvements performed on the approved building permit is less than $10,000; or

2.  A person needs to sell or lease based on an eligible unforeseen hardship as determined by the Contractors License Board.

If you are an owner-builder and need to sell due to an eligible unforseen hardship within the one year period fill out the application and submit it to the Contractors Licensing Board:
      >>Application

For more information check out the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs press release summarizing the full changes to the law.
     >>DCCA Press Release

Update:
As of October there have been two cases where applications were denied because the permits were still open.  You may want to contact the appropriate City and County Department of Planning or Permitting to see their process on closing an open permit.