Hawaii Senate Bill SB1576

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

Relating To Foreclosures.

Impact

A key provision of SB1576 is the prohibition against creditors pursuing deficiency judgments against residential property owners after completing either a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure. This change in the law is significant as it directly affects how mortgages are handled in cases where the sale of foreclosed property does not cover the outstanding debt. By eliminating the possibility of pursuing deficiency judgments, the bill aims to provide greater protections and certainty for residential borrowers who find themselves in distress during foreclosure proceedings.

Summary

SB1576, introduced in the Hawaii Legislature, aims to amend existing statutes related to foreclosures, specifically targeting the rights of creditors following a foreclosure process. The bill clarifies that actions for recovering debts associated with notes and mortgage notes must commence within six years following the cause of action. This legal timeframe aligns with other similar statutes in the state, thereby providing consistency in legislative expectations across various types of debt recovery cases.

Contention

While the bill offers significant protective measures for borrowers, it is likely to be met with mixed responses from different stakeholder groups. Supporters may argue that prohibiting deficiency judgments is a necessary reform that would alleviate the financial burden on homeowners, particularly in economic downturns where property values may plummet. On the other hand, lenders might express concerns over potential losses incurred from foreclosures, advocating that maintaining the right to pursue deficiency judgments is crucial for risk management in mortgage lending practices.