STAND. COM. REP. NO. 485

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 517

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 517 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require each county to prepare a housing supply plan to plan for projected increases in the State's housing supply to meet housing demands of the respective county, identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs for all income levels, and identify adequate sites for housing, including rental housing.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Hawaiian Community Assets, and O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting.

Your Committees find that there is a severe shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii, and the shortage places an immense strain on lower-income households. As several government studies have concluded that the State does not have and is not producing enough new housing units to meet normal population growth projections to 2025, it is critical for the counties to also take initiative in increasing the production of housing to meet the anticipated housing demands in their respective counties. This measure requires the counties to be proactive in planning for new housing at all price points to meet anticipated demand.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 517 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Housing,

________________________________ STANLEY CHANG, Chair

________________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair