REQUESTING THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL AND THE COUNTIES TO ADOPT, AMEND, OR UPDATE THE STATE BUILDING CODES AND COUNTY BUILDING CODES TO INCORPORATE CERTAIN STANDARDS FOR OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

HR78

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

78

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the state Building code council and the
counties to adopt, amend, or update the state building codes and county
building codes to incorporate CERTAIN standards for off-site construction
.

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WHEREAS, Hawaii
continues to face urgent housing shortages, compounded by high construction
costs, labor constraints, and limited buildable land; and

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WHEREAS, off-site
construction, including modular, panelized, prefabricated, and other industrial
building methods, offers opportunities to lower costs, improve quality,
accelerate delivery schedules, and reduce environmental impacts compared to
traditional on-site construction; and

����
WHEREAS, the
International Code Council (ICC), in partnership with the Modular Building
Institute (MBI) and other stakeholders, developed the ICC/MBI 1200, 1205, and
1210 Standards for Off-Site Construction, which provide uniform requirements
for:

����
(1)
�
Planning, design, fabrication, and assembly (1200
Standard);

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(2)
�
Inspection and regulatory compliance (1205
Standard); and

����
(3)
�
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems (1210
Standard), including provisions to promote energy efficiency and water
conservation as part of Hawaii's broader policy goals for sustainability and
resilience; and

����
WHEREAS,
Appendix N of the International Building Code provides a framework for
jurisdictions to adopt guidelines for registering repeatable, pre-approved
building designs by maintaining a registry of approved designs and utilizing a site-specific
application and review process focused on local conditions, thereby reducing
duplicative plan reviews and promoting consistency; and

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WHEREAS, the adoption
of these standards would promote consistency and clarity for designers,
builders, regulators, and consumers in Hawaii, thereby encouraging innovation
while ensuring safety, durability, and resilience; and

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WHEREAS, under
section 107-25(6), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the State Building Code Council is
expressly authorized to adopt code provisions based on nationally published
codes or standards, including mechanical standards, residential and
hurricane-resistant standards, flood and tsunami standards, and other loss
mitigation standards; and

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WHEREAS, the incorporation
of the ICC/MBI Standards for Off-Site Construction not only falls squarely
within this statutory authority, but also advances the State's goals for
disaster preparedness by strengthening building performance in the face of
hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural hazards; and

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WHEREAS, alignment
with these nationally recognized standards will also support Hawaii's commitment
to energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable building practices,
helping reduce utility burdens for households and improve long-term climate
resilience; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the State Building Code Council and
the counties are requested to adopt, amend, or update the State Building Codes
and county building codes to incorporate the
International
Code Council and Modular Building Institute
1200, 1205, and 1210 Standards
for Off-Site Construction; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the State Building Code Council is requested to adopt Appendix N
of the International Building Code and adopt conforming rules to standardize
statewide design registration and pre-approved plans, including rules related
to a central registry of approved replicable designs agreed upon by each county
and a uniform site-specific verification process limited to local conditions,
such as foundation specifications, wind and seismic parameters, geotechnical
considerations, and utilities; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the State Building Code Council is requested to consult with
county building officials, industry stakeholders, labor organizations, housing
advocates, and other affected parties to ensure that the incorporation of these
standards is compatible with Hawaii's unique climate, geographical, and
workforce considerations; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, Comptroller, Chair of the State Building Code Council, Director of
the Hawaii County Department of Public Works, Director of the Department of
Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu, County Engineer of
the Kauai County Department of Public Works, and Director of the Maui County
Department of Public Works.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

State
Building Code Council; State Building Code; Standards for Off-Site Construction