STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1487

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1406

H.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 1406, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT PROCEDURES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for an Intergovernmental Task Force for Permit Simplification.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Hawaii State Energy Office; State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii REALTORS; Ironworkers Stabilization Fund; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Housing Hawaii's Future; Charter Communications; Hawaiian Telcom; Navian Hawaii; and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee recognizes that the State's permitting process often takes three times longer to complete than in other states and causes delays for businesses and individuals. Your Committee finds that these delays can significantly increase project costs and stall or disincentivize the construction of housing. Your Committee therefore believes that it is appropriate to assign a task force to identify obstacles, propose solutions, and propose a more predictable and transparent permitting system in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by requiring the task force to invite an individual having knowledge, experience, and expertise in labor to participate on the task force.

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 H.B. No. 1406, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1406, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair