STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1047

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 867

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 867, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure that adequate water resources exist for affordable housing development.

 

Specifically, the measure establishes a working group that shall:

 

     (1)  Be placed in the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes;

 

     (2)  Ascertain and address state watershed management to enable the development and construction of affordable housing projects across the State; and

 

     (3) Submit an interim report and final report to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the development of potable water systems affects housing development statewide, as both new and existing housing development projects are dependent upon water availability.  Your Committee believes that this measure will both advance the conservation of natural resources and address the need for water resources for affordable housing development.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 867, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 867, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair