Bill > SB1263

This bill aims to streamline historic preservation review processes in Hawaii while balancing the need to preserve cultural resources and expedite housing development, particularly in transit-oriented development areas. It introduces several key changes to existing law, including creating a standardized "complete submittal" definition with specific documentation requirements for projects that might affect historic properties, establishing strict timelines for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to review project submissions (90 days for standard reviews, 30 days for projects with no historic properties affected), and creating a process for expediting reviews of residential transit-oriented development projects in designated zones. The bill empowers lead agencies to make initial determinations about a project's potential effects on historic sites, allows automatic concurrence if the department does not respond within the specified timeframe, and provides a mechanism for counties and the Hawaii Community Development Authority to identify and submit parcels with low risks of affecting historically significant resources. The legislation also sets up a risk classification system for parcels near mass transit stations, with three levels of potential effect (high, medium, and low), and establishes detailed protocols for handling project changes, inadvertent discoveries of historic artifacts or burial sites, and mitigation measures. Ultimately, the bill seeks to balance preservation of Hawaii's cultural heritage with the pressing need to create more housing opportunities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1263&year=2025