STAND. COM. REP. NO. 639-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1929

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1929, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Extend the deadline for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire the Front Street Apartments affordable housing project on Maui, unless the ground lease is renegotiated or a new ground lease issued; and

(2) Extend the deadline to obtain land use approval for the Lealii affordable housing project on Maui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that there is a severe shortage of affordable rental housing in the county of Maui, particularly in the western part of the island. The deadline extensions proposed by this measure will help ensure Maui residents continue to have available affordable housing options.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1929, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1929, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair