STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3364

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2205

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2205, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPORTANT HOUSING LANDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the amount of land available for housing.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes procedures for the identification and designation of important housing lands; and

(2) Appropriates funds to the counties for the identification of important housing lands.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Faith Action, and one individual.

Your Committees received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committees received written comments on this measure from the Office of Planning.

Your Committees find there is a strong demand for affordable housing in the State. Your Committees further find that encouraging the development of affordable housing will assist low- and moderate-income Hawaii residents in achieving homeownership.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding a declaration to clarify that the appropriation made by the measure is done to satisfy the requirements of article VIII, section 5 of the Hawaii State Constitution, and including instructions for dividing the appropriation among the various counties;

(2) Correcting a cross-reference;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(4) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2205, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2205, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair