STAND. COM. REP. NO. 176-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1700

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Housing and Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1700 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS; Navian Hawaii; Housing Hawaiʻi's Future; and three individuals.

Your Committees find that individuals with disabilities and those with access and functional needs often face significant barriers in securing adequate housing due to longer project timelines and permitting delays. Your Committees further find that current expedited permit processes do not explicitly include these populations, resulting in slower delivery of urgently needed accessible units. This measure ensures that disability-inclusive housing projects can advance more efficiently and responsively, which will help communities better meet the housing needs of individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Housing and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1700, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1700, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Housing and Water & Land,

____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair

____________________________ LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair