STAND. COM. REP. NO. 973-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1710

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1710, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a phased review of a proposed project on private property under certain circumstances; and

(2) Amend the process and deadlines by which the State Historic Preservation Division must provide written concurrence or non-concurrence for proposed projects on private property or certain projects that require state or county approval for entitlement for use, after which concurrence may be assumed and the project may move to the next step in the compliance process.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu; one member of the Maui County Council; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS; AARP Hawaiʻi; NAIOP Hawaii; The Gallery Ltd; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Maui Hotel & Lodging Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1710, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair