STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2835

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2908

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 S.B. No. 2908, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERMITTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a statewide permitting intake platform; and

(2) Appropriates $50,000 for the development of the platform, subject to a matching funds requirement of $12,500 per county.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Holomua Collaborative, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and one individual

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that, according to a report from the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) Task Force, lengthy waiting times in the permitting process are a common issue. Further, major delays often occur due to incorrect submissions, misrouted applications, or poor-quality plans. Your Committee recognizes that SPEED's report suggests that a digital system or intake portal, as required and funded by this measure, could help prevent the submission of incomplete applications and standardize data across the State.

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 S.B. No. 2908, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair