STAND. COM. REP. NO. 307

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 533

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 533 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HISTORIC PROPERTY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the definition of "historic property" under the State's Historic Preservation Program to include only property that predates Statehood Day and, with respect to buildings and structures, is registered on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; NAIOP Hawaii; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Historic Hawai‘i Foundation; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Climate Protectors of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this measure improves the determination of which buildings and structures are considered historic property under the State's Historic Preservation Program by considering more than merely the age of the structure, object, or site.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the definition of "historic property" to mean properties included, or eligible for inclusion, on the National Register of Historic Places or Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places, rather than properties that predate Statehood Day;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 533, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 533, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair