STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3633

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 2606

        H.D. 2

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2606, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve housing and infrastructure development in the State by seeking to reduce plan-review workloads for off-site construction.

 

     More specifically, this measure establishes and appropriates moneys for a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Plumbers and Fitters UA Local 675, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the use of standardized designs and state-level certification for off-site construction was a key recommendation in the 2025 final report of the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development Task Force.  Your Committee believes that the working group established by this measure to develop specific proposals and regulatory frameworks for an off-site construction program will help implement the Task Force's recommendations and ensure progress in streamlining the State's permitting processes.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2606, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair