RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

HB2215

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2215

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the state building code council
.

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 delays, inconsistencies, and lack of transparency in
state and county building permitting processes increase the cost of housing,
infrastructure, and economic development projects across the State.
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While each county administers its own
permitting systems, the absence of standardized data reporting and statewide
visibility into permitting timelines and bottlenecks limits the State's ability
to identify systemic challenges, deploy technical assistance, and improve
regulatory efficiency.

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The legislature further finds that the
state building code council plays a central role in establishing statewide
building standards, coordinating with counties, and advancing code
modernization efforts.
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However, the
council currently lacks dedicated staffing capacity to support ongoing data
collection, analysis, training coordination, and transparency initiatives
related to permitting performance.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
strengthen the capacity of the state building code council by:

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(1)
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Establishing
a permanent full-time position to support statewide building code coordination,
permitting transparency and modernization initiative;

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(2)
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Requiring
consistent county reporting on building permitting performance;

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(3)
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Developing
a standardized statewide permitting data system or public dashboard; and

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(4)
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Improving
consistency and professionalism in permitting administration through
standardized credentialing and training requirements.

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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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There is established within
the state building code council one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE)
permanent position to support statewide building code coordination, permitting
transparency, and modernization initiatives.

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(b)
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The duties of the position shall include but not be limited to:

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(1)
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Coordinating
the collection, analysis, and publication of county permitting data;

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(2)
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Supporting
the development and maintenance of a standardized statewide permitting data
system or public dashboard;

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(3)
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Advancing
state building code modernization and transparency initiatives in coordination
with relevant county and state agencies; and

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(4)
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Developing
and supporting standardized credentialing and training requirements for
permitting officials in coordination with county agencies.

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SECTION 3.
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(a)
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Each county shall submit to
the state building code council, in a form and manner prescribed by the
council, periodic reports on building permitting performance, including but not
limited to:

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(1)
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Average
and median permitting timelines by permit type;

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(2)
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Permit
volumes and backlogs;

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(3)
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Identified
permitting bottlenecks or capacity constraints; and

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(4)
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Other
metrics determined by the council to support transparency and performance
evaluation.

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(b)
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The state building code council shall compile and publish the
information obtained as required by subsection (a) through a standardized
statewide permitting data system or publicly accessible dashboard.

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SECTION 4.
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(a)
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The state building code
council shall establish or designate a standardized statewide permitting data
system or public dashboard to improve transparency, accountability, and
coordination across counties.

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(b)
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The system or dashboard shall, to the extent practicable:

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(1)
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Provide
consistent, comparable permitting performance metrics across counties;

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(2)
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Allow
for identification of systemic bottlenecks and best practices; and

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(3)
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Support
data-driven improvements to permitting processes and building code
administration.

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SECTION 5.
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(a)
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The state building code
council shall develop recommended statewide standards for credentialing,
training, and continuing education for permitting officials, in consultation
with county agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

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(b)
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The standards shall be advisory in nature unless otherwise provided by
law and shall be intended to promote consistency, professionalism, and
efficiency in permitting administration statewide.

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SECTION 6.
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(a)
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The state building code
council shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including
any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to
the convening of the regular session of
2028.

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(b)
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The report shall include the following:

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(1)
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Implementation
status of the permanent position;

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(2)
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County
compliance with permitting data reporting;

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(3)
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Progress
on the statewide permitting data system or dashboard; and

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(4)
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Recommendations
for further statutory or administrative action.

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SECTION 7.
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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 one full-time
equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position as established by section 2 of this
Act.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the state building code council for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 8.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

State
Building Code Council; Permitting Transparency; Data Reporting; Modernization;
Staffing; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
one permanent full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State
Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting
transparency, and modernization initiatives.
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Requires county reporting on building permitting performance.
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Requires the State Building Code Council to
develop a standardized statewide permitting data system or public dashboard.
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Requires the development of a state building
code modernization and transparency initiative.
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Requires the State Building Code Council to develop standardized
credentials and training requirements for permitting officials.
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Requires a report.
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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.