STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1107

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1357

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1357, S.D. 1, 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) Make permanent Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, which requires the counties to issue affordable housing credits to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands upon the Department's request; and

(2) Make permanent Act 98, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, which requires the counties to issue affordable housing credits for each residential unit developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Dowling Company, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committees find that affordable housing credits provide the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands greater opportunities to gain resources to develop homesteads. For example, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands offers a price reduction of housing units offered by homebuilders on Hawaiian home lands through the affordable housing credits program. Additionally, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands affordable housing program also offers affordable housing options to beneficiaries at no cost to the State. While affordable housing credits provide the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands with flexibility to continue its mission to effectuate the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, the affordable housing credits are temporary in nature and set to expire in 2024. This measure ensures continuity of the affordable housing credits program to allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue its mission to serve the native Hawaiian people.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1357, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair