CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 35-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2066

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2066, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to establish another means for a housing project to seek an exemption from certain laws and rules, including those relating to planning, zoning, and construction, that are developed under the various programs of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Your Committee on Conference finds that Hawaii is facing a critical housing shortage, particularly for Hawaii residents who are seeking a permanent home for their families, rather than trying to acquire real estate for investment or speculative purposes. Existing regulatory barriers can also slow down the production of the additional housing units that are so urgently needed. Therefore, this measure will allow for an alternative pathway for housing projects to expedite the regulatory process to increase affordable housing units in Hawaii.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the housing projects developed under the alternative pathway shall not impose stricter income requirements than those adopted or established by the State;

(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

(3) Making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2066, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2066, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ LUKE A. EVSLIN Co-Chair	____________________________ STANLEY CHANG Chair
____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE Co-Chair