STAND. COM. REP. NO. 4063

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 126

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 126, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES TO FOLLOW THE TRUE INTENT OF CHAPTER 201H, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, AND THE EXPRESS PROVISIONS OF SECTION 201H-38, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, RATHER THAN IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND PROCESSES, TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge state and county agencies to follow the true intent of chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the express provisions of section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, rather than impose additional restrictions and processes to address the shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Stanford Carr Development, LLC and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, established the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to facilitate the construction of housing in the State. Section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, exempts the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation from rules and ordinances restricting the construction of dwelling units. However, many county agencies have not provided the exemptions intended by that law. This measure urges all state and county agencies to follow the true intent of chapter 201H and section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to promote the development of affordable housing in the State. However, your Committee further finds that exemptions to rules and ordinances provided pursuant to chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, must be balanced against a range of interests, especially the need for environmental protection and sustainability. Finally, your Committee notes, for clarity, that section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, does not exempt affordable housing projects developed by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation from fees approved by the boards of water supply as authorized by chapter 54, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 126, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

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STANLEY CHANG, Chair