Bill > SB511

This bill modifies Hawaii's housing development exemption laws to streamline the process for housing projects seeking exemptions from typical planning and development regulations. The bill clarifies that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) can modify housing projects only to the extent necessary to address minimum health and safety standards, and allows the corporation to make recommendations to legislative bodies regarding project certification. Importantly, the bill establishes new timelines for processing housing project applications, requiring that the HHFDC or a county must accept an application within 30 days and process it within 120 days before final approval by a county legislative body. The legislation maintains existing provisions that allow housing projects to be exempt from various statutes, ordinances, and rules related to planning, zoning, and construction, provided they meet specific conditions such as consistency with health and safety standards and approval by the county legislative body. The bill applies to housing projects developed by HHFDC, either on behalf of the state or with an eligible developer, and is designed to facilitate faster and more flexible housing development. The Act is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=511&year=2025