STAND. COM. REP. NO. 113-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1718

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1718 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to repeal the sunset date of Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, thereby making permanent the authority of the counties to share in facilitating the development, construction, financing, refinancing, or other provision of mixed‑use developments, including low‑ and moderate‑income housing projects, and to issue county bonds for these purposes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu; and Housing Hawaiʻi's Future.

Your Committee finds that counties play an essential role in developing affordable and mixed‑use housing, yet temporary statutory authority creates uncertainty for long‑term planning and investment. Your Committee further finds that the existing sunset date in Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 45), limits the counties' ability to pursue multi‑year financing and development initiatives that are necessary to expand the State's housing supply. Removing Act 45's sunset date ensures counties can reliably utilize their powers over the long term, supporting continued coordination and investment in affordable housing.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1718, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1718, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair