STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3404

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1747

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1747, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the State Building Code Council to:

(1) Consult with building industry trade associations to gather cost data on the implementation of certain codes or standards and calculate the financial impact of those building codes and standards, including amortized utility costs, on the cost of constructing single-family and multi-family homes built in the State; and

(2) Include the cost provided by building industry trade associations on certain codes and standards adopted by the council in the annual written report submitted to the Governor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii; D.R. Horton Hawaii, LLC; and NAIOP Hawaii. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 675.

Your Committee finds that the building codes and standards passed by the International Code Council add to the cost of housing construction and reduce affordability. Your Committee believes that in determining whether to adopt international standards, the State Building Code Council should assess the financial impact of changes to the construction costs, and the impact on amortized utility costs, for single-family and multi-family homes in the State. This measure will mitigate the rising costs of homes in the State by requiring the State Building Code Council to consult with building industry trade associations to gather cost data on the implementation of certain codes or standards and calculate the financial impact of those building codes and standards, including amortized utility costs, on the cost of constructing single-family and multi-family homes built in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1747, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair