SB2220

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2220
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to affordable housing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§226- Executive office on affordable housing; director; general functions, duties, and powers. (a) There is established an executive office on affordable housing that shall be temporarily placed within the office of the governor; provided that on July 1, 2031, the executive office on affordable housing shall be permanently established in the department of business, economic development, and tourism within the office of planning.

(b) The head of the executive office on affordable housing shall be known as the director of the executive office on affordable housing, hereinafter referred to as the director. The director shall:

(1) Be appointed by the governor, notwithstanding section 26-34 and chapter 76;

(2) Have professional knowledge of affordable housing projects and development;

(3) Have direct experience in programs and services related to affordable housing;

(4) Have recent experience in a supervisory, consultative, or administrative position;

(5) Be paid a salary set by the governor that shall not exceed per cent of the salary of the director of human resources development; and

(6) Be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State.

(1) Advising the governor and guiding the planning and coordination of State agency transit-oriented development implementation as it pertains to affordable housing projects;

(2) Establishing affordable housing goals in transit-oriented development areas;

(3) Conducting meetings with appropriate state and county agencies, the governor, and members of the Hawaii interagency council for transit-oriented development to assess progress towards housing goals and offer assistance with obstacles that may emerge;

(4) Assessing the policies and practices of other agencies impacting the affordable housing goals;

(5) Developing standards of accountability to ensure compliance with the implementation of the strategic plan developed by the Hawaii interagency council for transit-oriented development as it pertains to affordable housing projects;

(6) Contracting for services and hiring of consultants that may be necessary for the purposes of this section, including through master contracts with other state agencies receiving federal or state funds for programs and services for affordable housing development, and purchase of service agreements with appropriate agencies or consultants;

(7) Establishing policies and procedures governing the operations of the office; and

(8) Administering funds allocated to the office.

(d) To further facilitate the development, implementation, and execution of the Hawaii interagency council for transit-oriented development's strategic plan, the director and the governor may obtain information by informally consulting, individually or as a group, with any stakeholders or subject-matter expert selected by the director. The governor may informally collaborate, individually or as a group, with any stakeholder or subject matter expert, to enable the executive office on affordable housing to further plan, develop, and execute transit-oriented affordable housing strategies and projects, including proposed legislation and rules.

(e) The director shall submit to the legislature an annual report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, which shall include an explanation of the status of transit-oriented affordable housing projects and any findings and recommendations."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the establishment of the executive office on affordable housing, including planning and the hiring of consultants.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of the governor for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________