THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2537
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the land use commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§205-1 Establishment of the commission. (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 at least one member shall have substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices[.] and at least one member shall have substantial experience in the area of water resource management. 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 affirmative votes shall be necessary for any boundary amendment.

(b) Appointment of members with substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices shall be made from a list of nominees submitted by the office of Hawaiian affairs as follows:

(1) For vacancies attributable to the expiration of a term, the list shall be submitted on the first business day of December before the expiration of the term; and

(2) For a vacancy that occurs during a council representative's term, the list shall be submitted within ninety calendar days after the vacancy occurs.

[(b)] (c) The commission shall be a part of the office of planning and sustainable development for administrative purposes.

[(c)] (d) The commission may engage employees necessary to perform its duties, including administrative personnel and an executive officer. The executive officer shall be appointed by the commission and the executive officer's position shall be exempt from civil service. Departments of the state government shall make available to the commission [such] their data, facilities, and personnel as are necessary for it to perform its duties. The commission may receive and utilize gifts and any funds from the federal or other governmental agencies. It shall adopt rules guiding its conduct, maintain a record of its activities and accomplishments, and make recommendations to the governor and to the legislature through the governor.

[(d)] (e) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commission shall be exempt from section 26-35 with the exception of section 26-35(a)(2), (3), (7), (8), and section 26-35(b) shall apply.

[(e)] (f) The land use commission shall maintain its independence on matters coming before it to which the office of planning and sustainable development is a party by establishing and adhering to the process required by section 225M-2(d)."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request

Report Title:

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Package; LUC; Boards and Commissions

Description:

Amends the composition of the Land Use Commission to require at least one member who has substantial experience and expertise in water resource management. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit a list of nominees to the Governor for the appointment of a commission member having substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.