STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2575

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2339

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 Public Safety and Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2339 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every four years.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Housing Hawaiʻi's Future, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, and Complete Construction Services Corporation.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186, Plumbers and Fitters United Association Local 675, American Institute of Architects Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the Building Industry Association of Hawaii specializes in residential code while the General Contractors' Association of Hawaii specializes in commercial code. However, the two associations alternate four year terms on the State Building Code Council, meaning that coverage of either residential or commercial code is incomplete. Given the challenges the State faces in development, especially of new housing, having a consistent system for establishing building codes is essential. The alternating positions on the State Building Code Council undermine this goal. By including both representatives on the State Building Code Council simultaneously, this measure ensures, not only fairness and consistency in the development of building codes, but also greater safety and more efficient implementation of building codes.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding two members representing the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186 to the State Building Code Council;

(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

(3) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2339, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2339, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Government Operations,

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair

________________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair