RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

SB2217

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2217

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION
.

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 time and cost required to construct new housing can
be substantially increased by delays in obtaining required permits and
approvals.

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The legislature also finds that, according
to a study conducted by the university of Hawaii economic research organization,
the average length of approval delay in Hawaii is three times the national average.
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Similarly, research by the Grassroot
Institute of Hawaii has found that it can take up to ten years to obtain
necessary approvals to develop new housing in the State.
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These delays increase uncertainty and
expenses, which disincentivize development and can considerably increase the
cost to build new homes.

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The legislature further finds that the average
price of housing in the State has increased substantially in recent years.
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In September 2012, the median home price on
Oahu was $637,000.
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Ten years later, in
September 2022, the median home price had skyrocketed to $1,100,000.

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The legislature notes that under existing state
law, six out of the nine members of the land use commission must affirmatively
vote to approve any boundary amendment, regardless of any vacancies or absences
among commission members.
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Adjusting this
law may help to expedite the approval process, which will help to accelerate housing
development and address the State's excessive permit and approval times.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
specify that a simple majority of affirmative votes of the members of the land
use commission present at a meeting and qualified to vote is required for any
boundary amendment.

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SECTION 2.
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Section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending
subsection (a) to read as follows:

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"(a)
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There shall be a state land use commission, hereinafter called the
commission.
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The commission shall consist
of nine members who shall hold no other public office and shall be appointed in
the manner and serve for the term set forth in section 26-34.
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One member shall be appointed from each of
the counties and the remainder shall be appointed at large; provided that one
member shall have substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian
land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices.
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The commission shall elect its chairperson
from one of its members.
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The members
shall receive no compensation for their services on the commission, but shall
be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties.
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[
Six
]
A simple
majority of
affirmative votes
of the members present and qualified to
vote
shall be necessary for any boundary amendment."

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SECTION 3.
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This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that
were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

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SECTION 4.
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Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

LUC; Decision-Making
Process; Boundary Amendment

Description:

Specifies
that a simple majority of affirmative votes of the members of the Land Use
Commission present at a meeting and qualified to vote is required for any
boundary amendment.

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