Bill > SB79

This bill establishes comprehensive historic preservation review requirements for state or county housing projects that might impact historical properties, aviation artifacts, or burial sites. The Department of Land and Natural Resources must determine the potential effects of such projects within 90 days of receiving a complete project request, using criteria like existing archaeological surveys, the Hawaii and national historic places registers, consultation with island burial councils and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the project area's known historic resources. The department will categorize project areas as highly, moderately, or nominally sensitive, which determines the level of archaeological review required, ranging from full archaeological inventory surveys to no additional review. The bill mandates that if previously unidentified human remains or historic properties are discovered during project construction, work must immediately stop within a twenty-foot radius of the discovery, and the state historic preservation division must be notified within 48 hours. Project proponents must make good faith efforts to avoid or minimize adverse effects on significant historic properties, with mitigation strategies including preservation, archaeological data recovery, burial treatment, and historic documentation. The bill applies specifically to housing projects developed by, financed by, or located on state or county land, and requires the department to adopt implementing rules.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=79&year=2025