STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1641

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 502

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 502, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RURAL DISTRICTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the counties to adopt ordinances that allow up to one dwelling per quarter acre in rural districts.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Association of REALTORS.

Your Committees received written comments in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committees received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Your Committees find that this measure will help address the State's critical housing shortage by providing counties with the flexibility to permit denser zoning in rural areas.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

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

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive edits 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 H.B. No. 502, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 502, H.D. 2, 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