Bill > SB1327

This bill establishes a comprehensive process for reviewing potential historic preservation impacts of affordable housing projects in Hawaii. The bill requires that before any state or local agency begins an affordable housing project that might affect historic properties, aviation artifacts, or burial sites, they must first request a determination from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) within 90 days. The DLNR will categorize project areas into three sensitivity levels - highly, moderately, and nominally sensitive - which will dictate the required archaeological review process. For highly sensitive areas, a full archaeological inventory survey is mandated; for moderately sensitive areas, archaeological monitoring may be permitted; and for nominally sensitive areas, the project might proceed with minimal or no additional review. The bill defines an affordable housing project as one where over 50% of units are affordable to households earning up to 140% of the area median income. If historic properties are discovered during the project, work must be halted in the affected area, and mitigation strategies (such as preservation, data recovery, or documentation) must be developed and approved by the DLNR. The bill also specifically addresses scenarios involving human remains, requiring work stoppage and compliance with existing state protocols. Ultimately, the legislation aims to balance the need for affordable housing with the preservation of Hawaii's cultural and archaeological heritage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1327&year=2026