STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1749-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 174

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.C.R. No. 174 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; and Building Industry Association of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Auditor.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii State Building Code Council was established to adopt and maintain a statewide building code to promote public safety, uniform construction standards, and consistent county building regulations. Your Committee further finds, however, that although the intent of the Hawaii State Building Code Council was to bring greater uniformity to county regulations, the practical impact has been the opposite, resulting in greater inconsistency and unpredictability across jurisdictions. Your Committee notes that the extended dormancy of the Hawaii State Building Code Council has created an opportunity to evaluate whether the Council's functions are necessary and beneficial and believes that it is appropriate for the State Auditor, with experience in conducting performance audits to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of government programs and agencies, to conduct a performance audit of the Council at this time.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 174 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair