Bill > SB73

This bill requires each county in Hawaii (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai) to establish and fill dedicated staff positions specifically for processing permit applications related to state projects. The bill defines a "state project" as any activity directly undertaken by the state or its political subdivisions, or supported through state funding such as appropriations, contracts, grants, or loans. A "county permitting agency" is defined as the planning department of each county or the designated agency responsible for issuing building, construction, or development-related permits. To support this mandate, the bill includes an appropriation of funds from the state's general revenues to help counties create and staff these new positions. The bill specifies that the new positions must be exclusively focused on reviewing and processing permits for state projects, with the goal of potentially streamlining and expediting permit approvals for state-related activities. The legislation is set to take effect on May 13, 2040, providing counties with significant lead time to implement the required changes.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=73&year=2026