STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3200
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 1700
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1700, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent 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 Hawaiʻi
State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication
Access Board, one member of the Kauaʻi
County Council, Navian Hawaii, Housing Hawaiʻi's
Future, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Independent Living
Hawaii, Fuller Lives, ALS Network, and four individuals.
Your Committees find that for individuals with disabilities, stable and accessible housing is foundational to health, independence, employment, and community integration. Delays in permitting can prolong housing insecurity, delay development of accessible units, and limit opportunities for people to live in the least restrictive, most appropriate community settings. By addressing systemic permitting inefficiencies, this measure recognizes that disability-inclusive housing is essential community infrastructure and strengthens the State's commitment to inclusive, community-based housing opportunities.
Your
Committees acknowledge the
concerns raised in testimony by Aloha Independent
Living Hawaii that expedited permitting should not
compromise compliance with federal regulation, such as the Americans with
Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act.
Your Committees further acknowledge that because this measure repeals in
2031, including reporting requirements on certain information during the
effective period will allow the Legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of
this measure and ensure it advances equity goals. Accordingly, amendments to this measure are
necessary to address these concerns.
Your Committees have
amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that any housing projects approved for expedited permits for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs shall comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act;
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1700, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1700, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Housing,
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________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair |
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________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair |
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________________________________ STANLEY CHANG, Chair |