STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3055

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2286

       H.D. 3

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs, Human Services, and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2286, H.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Extend the sunset date of the requirement that counties issue affordable housing credits for each residential unit developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and

     (2)  Clarify that "affordable housing obligation" means the requirement imposed by a county, regardless of the date of its enactment, to develop vacant lots, single-family residences, multi-family residences, or any other type of residence for sale or rent to individuals within a specified income range.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Planning and Permitting; and Kauai County Housing Agency.

     Your Committees find that affordable housing credits afforded the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands since the passage of Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, have resulted in successful private-public partnerships between the Department and developers to develop homestead lots.  Unfortunately, Act 141 is set to repeal in 2015.  By extending the sunset date of this successful program, the Department will be able to provide more affordable housing to its beneficiaries in furtherance of its mission.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language to repeal the sunset date of Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, making permanent the authorization for the counties to issue affordable housing credits to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and

     (2)  Repealing the sunset date of Act 98, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, making permanent the requirement that the counties issue affordable housing credits for each residential unit developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs, Human Services, and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2286, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2286, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs, Human Services, and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair	____________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair
	____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair