STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1563

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 67

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 Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 67 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL, BUILDING DEPARTMENTS OF EACH COUNTY, MAYORS OF EACH COUNTY, AND CHAIRS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEES ON HOUSING TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR ADOPTING UPDATED BUILDING CODES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Governor, State Building Code Council, building departments of each county, mayors of each county, and chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives standing committees on housing to develop a comprehensive strategy for adopting updated building codes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from American Institute of Architects of Architects, Hawaii State Council, Legislative Advocacy Committee.

Your Committee finds that clear, well-regulated building codes are essential for ensuring public safety, resilience against natural disasters, and the long-term stability of Hawaii's infrastructure. Recent changes to the application of building codes, including the suspension of the State Building Code Council and the adoption of unamended national standards, have created uncertainty for contractors and developers. The measure will address the lack of clarity in regulatory requirements risks delaying construction projects and compromising safety standards.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its title to make technical amendments;

(2) Urging the comprehensive strategy to include requests to reinstate and adequately fund the State Building Code Council so it can resume its mandate effectively;

(3) Updating the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure; and

(4) 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 Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 67, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 67, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair