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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
670 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that delays in permitting and approvals substantially increase the time and cost required to build new housing. A study on the burden of housing regulation from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization indicates that the average length of approval delay in Hawaii is three times the national mean, leading to uncertainty and expenses that disincentivize development.
According to research from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, the time required to navigate the approval process for new housing developments can take as long as ten years. This can considerably increase the cost associated with building new homes. In September 2012, the median home price on Oahu was $637,000. Ten years later, in September 2022, the median home price skyrocketed to $1,100,000.
Under existing law, six out of the nine members of the land use commission must affirmatively vote to approve any boundary amendment. In addition, the land use commission is required to hold a hearing within no less than sixty and no more than one hundred eighty days.
The legislature further finds that adjusting the laws governing the land use commission approval process will expedite the development process and help address the State's excessive permit approval times.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to reform the decision-making process of the land use commission.
SECTION 2. Section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) There shall be a state land use commission,
hereinafter called the commission. The
commission shall consist of nine members who shall hold no other public office
and shall be appointed in the manner and serve for the term set forth in
section 26-34. One member shall be appointed
from each of the counties and the remainder shall be appointed at large;
provided that one member shall have substantial experience or expertise in
traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices. The commission shall elect its chairperson
from one of its members. The members
shall receive no compensation for their services on the commission, but shall
be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. [Six] A simple majority of
affirmative votes from the members serving on the commission shall be
necessary for any boundary amendment."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Land Use Commission; Decision-making Process
Description:
Specifies that a simple majority of affirmative votes from the members serving on the land use commission is required for any boundary amendment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.