STAND. COM. REP. NO. 842

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 217

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 217, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOME RENOVATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to update the cost valuations of work on buildings for the work to qualify for an exemption from the requirement that plans and specifications for construction projects be prepared by a licensed engineer or architect.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, 350Hawaii.org, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects and American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the American Institute of Architects Hawaii State Council.

Your Committee finds that under existing law, work on projects with costs that fall under certain monetary thresholds are exempt from the provisions governing the licensure of professional engineers, architects, surveyors, and landscape architects. Your Committee further finds that these thresholds have not been adjusted since 1979. This measure updates the cost valuations used to qualify for these exemptions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 217, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair