Bill > HB1823

This bill aims to streamline the permitting process for certain projects within special management areas in counties with a population between 150,000 and 200,000, by applying a specific definition of "development" that exempts many activities from requiring a special management area use permit. The definition of "development" is modified to include specific uses and operations within these areas, but it explicitly excludes a broad range of activities, such as routine maintenance of infrastructure, minor repairs to existing structures, certain subdivisions of land, and traditional Hawaiian practices. Crucially, federal, state, or county-funded infrastructure and improvement projects that have already been determined to be exempt from an environmental assessment or have received a finding of no significant impact under chapter 343 of Hawaii Revised Statutes are also exempt, provided these projects are defined as "infrastructure" which includes utilities and road improvements. This exemption is intended to facilitate the delivery of essential public projects without unnecessary delays, but the bill includes a provision that if any excluded activity is found to have a cumulative or significant environmental impact, it will be reclassified as "development" and require a permit. This legislation will take effect upon approval and will be repealed on June 30, 2030.