STAND. COM. REP. NO. 660

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 741

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 Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 741, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt certain projects funded by the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from prevailing wages provisions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc.; and Hawaiʻi Community Lending. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Pacific Resource Partnership; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund has limited resources to afford the costs associated with the construction of affordable homes and meet prevailing wages requirements. Your Committee recognizes that prevailing wages requirements ensure that workers are fairly compensated however, your Committee finds that it is important to encourage affordable housing development for residents.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 741, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair