Bill > SB15

This bill amends Hawaii's historic preservation laws by modifying two key definitions and establishing new guidelines for historic property reviews. The definition of "historic property" is updated to require that a property not only be over fifty years old, but also meet specific criteria for inclusion in the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. The bill introduces new exemptions for historic preservation review requirements, specifically for privately-owned residential properties and projects in "nominally sensitive areas" - which are defined as project areas with low density of historic resources or areas that have been substantially disturbed by previous excavation. Under the new provisions, applications for proposed projects on existing residential properties will only be subject to historic preservation review if the property is over fifty years old and registered on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. Similarly, single-family detached dwelling units and townhouses will only require review if they are over fifty years old and meet certain registration or district criteria. The bill aims to streamline the historic preservation review process by reducing bureaucratic requirements for properties and areas with minimal historical significance, while still maintaining protections for genuinely important historical sites.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=15&year=2025