STAND. COM. REP. NO. 703-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2606

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2606, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish within the State Building Code Council an Off-Site Construction Working Group to develop proposals for an off-site construction program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Housing Hawaiʻi's Future. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Plumbers and Fitters United Association Local 675.

Your Committee finds that this measure creates a forum for stakeholders to identify regulatory barriers and recommend standards that facilitate the adoption of off-site construction in Hawaii. This approach would help expand the supply of housing in Hawaii and increase its affordability for residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the off-site construction program is limited to components and designs for single-family homes that are constructed, assembled, inspected, or installed in the State in accordance with State laws governing public works and building code and design standards and State laws regulating contractors and electricians and plumbers;

(2) Clarifying that the off-site construction program is to establish a process where either a state- or county-level official certifies factories and inspects standardized models for compliance; and

(3) Amending the composition of the working group.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2606, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2606, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair