STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1140

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 498

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 498, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the inclusion of affordable housing in certain development or redevelopment plans for state transit-oriented development along the rail transit corridor in Honolulu.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii and one individual.

Your Committee finds that there is a pressing need for affordable housing units in the State. Your Committee believes that establishing an affordable housing component as part of development and redevelopment plans of state properties along Honolulu's upcoming rail transit line will increase the availability of affordable housing and also encourage the use of the new transit system.

Your Committee notes that the Office of Planning has requested an amendment to the measure that authorizes the Office to exempt state development or redevelopment plans from the measure's affordable housing requirements when the Office determines, in consultation with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, that housing at the required affordability level is not feasible or desirable on a particular property.

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. 498, 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