STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1874

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 157

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 157 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TASK FORCE FOR SPEED (SIMPLIFYING PERMITTING FOR ENHANCED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) TO IDENTIFY ACTIONS NEEDED TO EXPEDITE, FACILITATE, AND COORDINATE STATE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERMIT PROCESSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Task Force for Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) to identify actions needed to expedite, facilitate, and coordinate state and intergovernmental permit processes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Public Utilities Commission; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Land Use Commission; and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the current permitting processes can often be complex and time-consuming, posing challenges for individuals and businesses alike. By identifying inefficiencies and developing strategies for simplification across various government agencies, the task force established by this measure can help enhance government efficiency, support economic growth, and improve the transparency of residential and commercial permitting processes across the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 157, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair