Bill 9 in 2025: What Was Proposed and What Maui Actually Passed

Update, October 2026: This post was originally written in August 2025, before Bill 9's final vote. The final law changed some details. For the current rules, read Bill 9 and Bill 88 Explained (https://www.the808team.com/blog/bill-88-1).

By Benjamin Finnerty, REALTOR®, The 808 Team at Keller Williams Realty Maui

When I first wrote about Bill 9 in summer 2025, it was still a proposal. Mayor Richard Bissen had introduced it in May 2024, after the Lahaina wildfire, to move apartment-zoned vacation rentals back into long-term housing. The Council's Housing and Land Use Committee was still debating amendments, including the deadlines.

Here is how the final law compares with what was on the table then:

- Deadlines: The final law sets January 1, 2029 for West Maui and January 1, 2031 for the rest of the county.
- Final vote: The Council passed it 5-3, and Mayor Bissen signed it on December 15, 2025. It is now Ordinance 5909.
- Exemptions: The bill itself has no automatic exemptions. But in 2026 the Council passed Bill 88, which created H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning that some Minatoya List buildings can apply for.
- Lawsuits: Two lawsuits were filed within a week of the signing.

The debate from 2025 still frames the issue. Supporters point to housing: UHERO estimated converting the affected units could raise Maui's housing stock by about 13%. Critics point to lost visitor spending, jobs and county tax revenue, and to UHERO's estimate that condo prices could fall 20% to 40% under a full phase-out.

For where things stand today, see Bill 9 and Bill 88 Explained (https://www.the808team.com/blog/bill-88-1).

Benjamin Finnerty, REALTOR® | Director of Sales, The 808 Team
Call or text: 808-481-9748 | Email: benjamin@the808team.com
Benjamin Finnerty (S), RS-83812 | Keller Williams Realty Maui, RB-21851

General information only; not legal, tax, zoning or investment advice.