STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1906-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 8

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 8 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the counties to act on any building permit application for modification of a residence that is prescribed by a licensed health care provider and found by the county to be essential to the safety or health of an older adult or person with a disability within forty-five days of the receipt of a complete application.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that throughout the State, older adults are facing months-long delays in receiving approval for building permit applications for modifications to residences that are needed for safety and independent living. These modifications often include the installation of ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and other features that enable aging in place and reduce reliance on institutional care. Your Committee further finds that timely approval of building permits for safety-related home modifications is critical to advancing public health goals, reducing health care costs, and supporting the State's commitment to enabling older adults to age safely and independently in their own homes. The expedited building permit application process urged by this measure will help ensure timely, reasonable accommodations and support continuity of care for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 8 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

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GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair