Read the full stored bill text
SB2910
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2910
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:
����
SECTION
1.
�
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.
�
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.
�
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.
����
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.
�
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.
����
The December
2025 final report recommends additional training and professional development for
state and county permitting agency employees as part of a key policy change to
improve the permitting process.
�
The
final report also finds that further training opportunities focused on new
building codes, digital tools, and emerging technologies could help reduce
interpretation errors and improve overall permit issuance times.
����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to require the state building code council to
provide annual training to state and county permitting agency employees.
����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:
����
"
�107-
�
Annual training; building codes; state and
county permitting agency employees.
�
(a)
�
In addition to the duties under section
107-24, the council shall provide annual training to state and county
permitting agency employees, including but not limited to plan reviewers,
inspectors, and policy staff.
�
The
training shall provide:
����
(1)
�
Guidance on changes made to building codes
and standards;
����
(2)
�
A practical application component,
providing employees examples of how code changes impact common projects;
����
(3)
�
An overview of how to use any digital
tools, including artificial intelligence tools, that may be available to assist
with permit intake and review; and
����
(4)
�
Best practices for providing clear,
consistent comments and feedback to applicants for permit applications.
����
(b)
�
The training shall include recorded modules
provided to all applicable state and county permitting agency employees.
"
����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section 107-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
����
"(g)
�
The council may
, in addition to the annual
training required pursuant to section 107- ,
provide
education and technical training and administrative assistance in the form of
services or grants at the state and county levels relating to the
implementation and enforcement of the Hawaii state building codes adopted
pursuant to this part."
����
SECTION
4.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the state building code
council to provide annual training to state and county permitting agency
employees; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless
each county provides matching funds in the sum of $6,250 per county.
����
The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the state building code council for the
purposes of this Act.
����
SECTION
5.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.
����
SECTION 6.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
State
Building Code Council; Counties; Annual Training; Building Codes; Permitting
Agency Employees; Appropriation
Description:
Implements
certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force.
�
Requires the State Building Code Council to provide
annual training to state and county permitting agency employees.
�
Appropriates funds for the training, subject
to a matching funds requirement from the counties.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.