STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2313

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2507

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2507 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX, SECTION 5, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION, TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO PRODUCE ENOUGH HOUSING TO MEET DEMAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the Hawaii State Constitution to require the State to provide enough housing to meet demand subject to standards and criteria as provided by law.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu County Republican Party.

Your Committee finds that non self-executing provisions of the Hawaii State Constitution set forth principles only and require further implementing legislation before they can be enforced. This means that the Legislature can enact legislation that provides the standards and criteria by which the intent of the constitutional amendment can be effectuated. Your Committee further finds that there is a significant shortage of housing statewide. This measure will promote legislation that may provide for an adequate supply of housing to the people of the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2507 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 Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair