STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1299-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3048

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 3048, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting transparency, and modernization initiatives;

(2) Require the counties to report to the State Building Code Council regarding building permitting performance;

(3) Require the State Building Code Council to develop a plan for the creation of a standardized statewide permitting data system or publicly accessible dashboard;

(4) Require the State Building Code Council to develop recommended statewide standards for credentialing, training, and continuing education for permitting officials; and

(5) Require a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; one member of the Maui County Council; American Institute of Architects, Hawaii Chapter; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and Palms Hawaii Architecture.

Your Committee finds that delays, inconsistencies, and lack of transparency in state and county building permitting processes increase the cost of housing, infrastructure, and economic development projects across the State. Although each county administers its own permitting systems, the absence of standardized data reporting and statewide visibility into permitting timelines and bottlenecks limits the State's ability to identify systemic challenges, deploy technical assistance, and improve regulatory efficiency. Your Committee further finds that the State Building Code Council plays a central role in establishing statewide building standards, coordinating with counties, and advancing code modernization efforts. This measure supports the efforts of the Council.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3048, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3048, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair