SR101 • 2026

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.

Housing

Active

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

Sponsor: CHANG, GABBARD, RICHARDS, SAN BUENAVENTURA, WAKAI
Last action: 2026-04-09
Official status: Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1).
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.

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.

What This Bill Does

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.
City and County of Honolulu; Housing Pattern Book; Streamlined Permitting

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.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SR101 SD1 THE SENATE S.R.

SR101 SD1 THE SENATE S.R.
NO.
101 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING the department of housing and land management of the city and county of honolulu to develop a COUNTYWIDE housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals and reduce regulatory barriers for safe, affordable, and well-designed homes .

Bill History

2026-04-09 S
Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1).
2026-04-08 S
One Day Notice 04-09-26.
2026-04-08 S
Reported from EIG/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3469) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
2026-03-31 S
The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Elefante, Rhoads, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-03-31 S
The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. 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.
2026-03-26 S
The committee(s) on EIG/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-31-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
2026-03-19 S
Referred to EIG/HOU.
2026-03-16 S
Offered.

Official Summary Text

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.
City and County of Honolulu; Housing Pattern Book; Streamlined Permitting

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SR101

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

101

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING the department of housing and land management
of the city and county of honolulu to develop a COUNTYWIDE housing pattern book
to streamline permit approvals and reduce regulatory barriers for safe,
affordable, and well-designed homes
.

����
WHEREAS, the
State faces a severe housing shortage that has made homeownership and stable
housing increasingly out of reach for many residents; and

����
WHEREAS, increasing
the supply of safe, affordable, and community‑compatible housing remains
a statewide priority, but production is often slowed by complex permitting
processes, inconsistent design standards, and regulatory barriers that add cost
and delay; and

����
WHEREAS, thoughtfully
designed housing contributes to dignity, stability, and well-being, and the
quality of the built environment, including attractive homes and walkable
neighborhoods, can positively affect physical and mental health and support
thriving communities; and

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii
has a rich tradition of climate‑responsive architecture, including
lanais, natural cross-ventilation, shading, and indoor‑outdoor living
elements that are well suited to local conditions and culture; and

����
WHEREAS, a
housing pattern book containing pre‑reviewed residential designs that
comply with applicable codes can reduce design costs, expedite permitting, and
accelerate housing production while maintaining safety, affordability,
resilience, and architectural quality; and

����
WHEREAS, similar
programs in places such as New South Wales, Australia, and Los Angeles,
California, have demonstrated that pre‑approved housing designs can
successfully accelerate construction of accessory dwelling units and low‑
and mid‑rise housing; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Housing and Land Management of
the City and County of Honolulu is requested to develop a countywide housing
pattern book containing pre‑reviewed residential building designs that
comply with applicable building codes and best practices for safety,
affordability, resilience, and architectural quality; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the housing pattern book is requested to:

����
(1)
�
Include designs suitable for a range of
housing types, including accessory dwelling units and low‑ and mid‑rise
multifamily buildings; and

����
(2)
�
Incorporate culturally appropriate and climate‑responsive
design elements that promote healthy and attractive living environments; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and
County of Honolulu is requested to include a design competition to attract
innovative and high‑quality designs for inclusion in the housing pattern
book; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that, in developing the housing pattern book, the Department of
Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu is requested to collaborate
with county planning departments, architects, builders, energy‑efficiency
experts, public health professionals, and community stakeholders; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the housing pattern book is requested to be made publicly
available; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County
of Honolulu is requested to provide streamlined permitting for projects
utilizing approved pattern‑book designs; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor
of the City and County of Honolulu, Director of the Department of Housing and
Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu, and Director of the
Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

City
and County of Honolulu; Housing Pattern Book; Streamlined Permitting