STAND. COM. REP. NO. 645-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1714

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 Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 1714, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Provide the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation with autonomy in personnel matters;

(2) Rename the Executive Assistant position as Deputy Executive Director;

(3) Increase the salary cap for its Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director; and

(4) Prohibit employment contracts exceeding two years unless approved by the Legislature for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Hawaii Public Housing Authority

Your Committee finds that State's ability to expand and maintain affordable housing depends heavily on recruiting and retaining highly qualified leadership within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, yet existing statutory salary caps limit the State's competitiveness when compared to private‑sector compensation. These constraints place an added burden on existing staff, contribute to vacancy and turnover challenges, and undermine the stability needed to support workers, residents, and communities that rely on affordable housing programs. This measure will strengthen the workforce capacity of these agencies and ensure both agencies can more effectively carry out their missions to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1714, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair