STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1931

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1408

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

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 H.B. No. 1408, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BUDGET,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the shortage of housing in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Appropriates funds for the fiscal biennium 2019-2021 operating budget of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; and

(2) Establishes the Office of the Housing Advocate to develop, advocate for, and implement solutions to the State's housing shortage.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Oahu County Democrats Legislative Priorities Committee, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the creation of an Office of the Housing Advocate within the Office of the Governor will facilitate the efficient use of resources across all executive departments to provide a focused effort to address the State's housing crisis.

Your Committee has amended this measure by removing provisions that appropriate funds for the fiscal biennium 2019-2021 operating budget of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

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 H.B. No. 1408, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1408, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair