RELATING TO PERMITTING.

HB1967

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1967

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to permitting
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that the
Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) task force was
established pursuant to Act 133, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025.
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The SPEED task force brought together various
state and county agencies and stakeholders to address issues related to
obtaining permits for housing, infrastructure, and other projects.
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The legislature further finds that the SPEED task
force is responsible for identifying actions taken, challenges encountered, and
legislative measures needed to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and
intergovernmental permitting processes.

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In its
initial phase, the SPEED task force split into three permitted interaction
groups, each focused on a specific, high-impact segment of the permitting
system.
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The SPEED task force then submitted
to the legislature a December 2025 final report of the permitted interaction
groups, representing a combined report of the three permitted interaction
groups, which outlined findings regarding existing actions and persistent
challenges and presented initial recommendations for legislative and
administrative measures to improve permitting processes statewide.

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The
legislature additionally finds that in the December 2025 final report, the
SPEED task force identified issues related to understaffing and recruitment as
a common impediment to the permitting process.
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County departments identified this issue as a major cause of permit
backlog and poor plan quality.
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The SPEED
task force recommended that the legislature invest in a long-term permitting
workforce strategy to support the recruitment and retention of state and county
employees that fill these key roles.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to require the department of business, economic
development, and tourism to:

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(1)
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Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in
partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and

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(2)
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Coordinate with state and county permitting
agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and
benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.

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SECTION
2.
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(a)
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The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall, in
partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges, develop a
permitting workforce pipeline to support the recruitment of new state and
county permitting agency employees.

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(b)
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The permitting workforce pipeline shall:

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(1)
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Include tuition incentives for college
students that enter state and county permitting agency jobs;

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(2)
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Establish clear service commitments for
students receiving tuition benefits; and

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(3)
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Match students with state and county
permitting agencies.

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(c)
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The department of business, economic
development, and tourism shall coordinate with applicable state and county permitting
agencies to:

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(1)
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Develop classification levels for permit
technicians and plan reviewers and ensure opportunities for career advancement;

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(2)
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Develop salary and benefit scales that are
comparable to the private sector;

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(3)
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Develop emergency hiring processes to be used
by agencies to fill immediate gaps;

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(4)
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Ensure greater flexibility in hiring with
respect to salary and minimum qualifications; and

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(5)
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Ensure that trainee and junior reviewer employees
can handle routine scopes under supervision.

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(c)
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The department of business, economic
development, and tourism may consult with the department of human resources
development when developing the classification levels, salary and benefit
scales, and hiring processes pursuant to subsection (b).

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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of
business, economic development, and tourism to develop a permitting workforce
pipeline and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain
tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and
responsibilities of employees pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic
development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Permitting;
Permitting Workforce Pipeline; Hiring; Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii; Community Colleges; Counties;
Appropriation

Description:

Implements
certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force.
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Requires the Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in
partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate
with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to
classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of
employees.
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Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.