THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1468
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOUSING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§46- Certain housing projects; automatic approval. (a) A county shall approve, approve with modification, or disapprove an application for a permit necessary for the development, pre-development, construction, or substantial rehabilitation that:

(1) Commences on a housing development project after July 1, 2019, and before July 1, 2026; and

(2) Uses moneys from the rental housing revolving fund established under section 201H-202,

within thirty days of submission of a complete permit application and full payment of any application fee.

(b) If, on the thirty-first day, an application is not approved, approved with modification, or disapproved by the county, the application shall be deemed approved by the county.

(c) Permits issued pursuant to this section shall contain the following language: "This is a rental housing-related permit issued pursuant to section 46- , Hawaii Revised Statutes."

(d) An applicant shall comply with all applicable safety and engineering requirements relating to the development, pre-development, construction, or substantial rehabilitation of a housing development project.

(e) No action shall be prosecuted or maintained against any county, its officials, or employees on account of actions taken in reviewing, approving, modifying, or disapproving a permit application pursuant to this section.

(f) The thirty-day time period established by subsection (a) shall be extended in the event of a natural disaster or state emergency that prevents the applicant, agency, or department from fulfilling application review requirements.

(g) If an application is incomplete, the county agency shall notify the applicant in writing within ten business days of submittal of the application. The notice shall inform the applicant of the specific requirements necessary to complete the application. The automatic approval provisions under subsection (a) shall continue to apply to the application only if the applicant satisfies the specific requirements of the notice and submits a complete application within five business days of receipt of the notice."

SECTION 2. Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§343- Exception for certain housing projects. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any development, pre-development, construction, or substantial rehabilitation that:

(1) Commences on a housing development project after July 1, 2019, and before July 1, 2026; and

(2) Uses moneys from the rental housing revolving fund established under section 201H-202,

shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Rental Housing Revolving Fund; County Permits; Environmental Impact Statements

Description:

Requires a county to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove an application for a permit necessary for a housing development project that uses moneys from the rental housing revolving fund. Provides for automatic permit approval if a county does not make a timely decision on an application. Exempts the foregoing projects from environmental impact statement requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2026.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.