STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3081

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2279

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2279 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend certain deadlines relating to two affordable rental housing projects in the County of Maui.

Specifically, this measure amends:

(1) Act 150, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, as amended by Act 98, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to extend to an unspecified date the deadline by which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation must exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire the Front Street Apartments affordable housing project, unless certain conditions are met; and

(2) Act 98, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to extend to June 30, 2020, the deadline by which the Lealii affordable housing project must obtain necessary land use entitlements to ensure the availability of appropriated rental housing revolving fund moneys.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, County of Maui, Front Street Apartments Tenants Group, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure is a cost-effective way to encourage and maintain economic integration in the State. Your Committee also finds that this measure aligns with the State's goal of increasing the quantity of affordable rental housing in the State, as established in Act 127, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount in Act 98, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to an unspecified amount;

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

(3) Making a technical nonsubstantive amendment for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2279, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2279, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair