Bill > HB1008

This bill establishes new procedures for reviewing the potential historic and cultural impacts of state affordable housing projects, requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to assess proposed projects within 90 days of receiving a complete request. 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. The department must determine the project's potential effect on historic properties, aviation artifacts, or burial sites based on the area's sensitivity level, which ranges from highly sensitive (requiring a comprehensive archaeological inventory survey) to nominally sensitive (potentially allowing project proceed without further review). If human remains or historic properties are discovered during project construction, work must be immediately stopped in the affected area, and specific protective measures must be implemented. The bill also requires agencies to make good faith efforts to avoid or minimize adverse effects on significant historic properties, with mitigation strategies such as preservation, archaeological data recovery, or historic documentation. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands must consult with the department before commencing projects on its lands, and the department is authorized to adopt rules to implement these new requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1008&year=2026