STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1728-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 7

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 7 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge each county to act on any building permit application for modification of a residence that is prescribed by a licensed health care provider and found by the county to be essential to the safety or health of an older adult or person with a disability within forty-five days of the receipt of a complete application.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hina Mauka; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that older adults and persons with disabilities often experience significant delays in the approval of building permits for essential residential modifications that are necessary for safety and independent living. Your Committee further finds that such delays increase the risk of fall-related injuries, fatalities, and preventable hospitalizations, which places additional strain on the health care system. Because falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among seniors, timely approval of safety-related home modifications is critical to advancing public health objectives, reducing health care costs, and supporting the State's commitment to aging in place. Establishing a clear timeline for county action on building permit applications will therefore promote efficiency, accountability, and equitable access to necessary home safety improvements.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 7 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Technology.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair