STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3460

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 8

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 8 entitled:

"SENATE 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,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hina Mauka, and one individual.

Your Committees find that for older adults, building modifications designed to prevent falls and avoidable injuries are necessary for safety and independent living. Your Committees further find that prolonged delays in permit approvals for these modifications can lead to increased hospitalizations, delayed care, and higher health care costs. By establishing clear timelines for county action, this measure aligns local permitting processes with the State's commitment to increase safety for kupuna and those living with disabilities.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 8 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair