STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2304

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2187

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2187 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to rename the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as the Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committees find that the priorities, mission, and attached agencies of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism encompass many of the State's housing goals, including the dedicated development of housing for individuals and families across all income levels. While the Department's statutory mandate and operational framework include expanding the State's housing capacity and it currently executes many housing policy objectives, its name does not reflect these activities. This measure clarifies the Department's role in housing development to promote transparency in government functions.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2187, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2187, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Housing,

________________________________ STANLEY CHANG, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair