STAND. COM. REP. NO.  589-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 3401

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 3401 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase the supply of housing affordable to the general workforce by establishing the Incentive and Streamlining Grants Program to streamline the application process for building, construction, or development-related permits.

     Housing Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  The Office of Planning (OP) supported the concept of this measure.  The Building Industry Association of Hawaii and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii supported this bill with amendments.  The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Requiring OP to establish an incentive to participating counties that improves the processing of permits for workforce housing by prioritizing and providing funding for state regional infrastructure projects that are consistent with that county's growth management plans; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3401, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3401, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair