SR10 • 2026

URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: MORIWAKI, CHANG, HASHIMOTO, INOUYE, MCKELVEY
Last action: 2026-04-09
Official status: Report and Resolution Adopted.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

What This Bill Does

URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.
Kupuna Caucus; Counties; Building Permit Applications; Expedited Processing; Residence Modifications; Older Adults; Persons with Disabilities

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-04-09 S
Report and Resolution Adopted.
2026-04-08 S
One Day Notice 04-09-26.
2026-04-08 S
Reported from EIG/HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3461) with recommendation of adoption.
2026-03-30 S
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha, Keohokalole.
2026-03-30 S
The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.
2026-03-27 S
The committee(s) on EIG/HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-30-26 1:02PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
2026-02-13 S
Referred to EIG/HHS.
2026-01-28 S
Offered.

Official Summary Text

URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.
Kupuna Caucus; Counties; Building Permit Applications; Expedited Processing; Residence Modifications; Older Adults; Persons with Disabilities

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SR10

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

10

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the counties to act on any building permit
application for modification of a residence that is prescribed by a licensed
health care provider and found by the county to be essential to the safety or
health of an older adult or person with a DISABILITY within forty-five days of
receipt of a complete application
.

����
WHEREAS, throughout
the State, older adults, those aged sixty-two years of age or older, are
currently facing months-long delays in receiving approval for building permit
applications for modifications to residences that are needed for safety and
independent living; and

����
WHEREAS, such
modifications often include the installation of ramps, grab bars, widened
doorways, and other features that enable aging in place and reduce reliance on
institutional care; and

����
WHEREAS, prolonged
delays in permit approvals significantly increase the risk of fall-related
injuries, fatalities, and avoidable hospitalizations among older adults,
placing additional strain on emergency medical services and health care systems;
and

����
WHEREAS, falls
are the leading cause of fatal injuries among seniors, with more than two
hundred thirteen preventable, fall-related deaths estimated in 2023; and

����
WHEREAS, timely
approval of building permits for safety‑related home modifications is
critical to advancing public health goals, reducing health care costs, and
supporting the State's commitment to enabling older adults to age safely and
independently in their own homes; and

����
WHEREAS, establishing
a clear timeline for counties to approve or disapprove building permit
applications within forty‑five days of receiving a complete application
will promote efficiency, accountability, and equitable access to essential home
safety improvements; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that each county is urged to act on any building
permit application for modification of a residence that is prescribed by a
licensed health care provider and found by the county to be essential to the
safety or health of an older adult or person with a disability within
forty-five days of the receipt of a complete application; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayors
of each county, 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:
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Kupuna
Caucus; Counties; Building Permit Applications; Expedited Processing; Residence
Modifications; Older Adults; Persons with Disabilities