Bill > SB2908

This bill requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to create a statewide permitting intake platform, which is a centralized online system for submitting permit applications. This platform will use artificial intelligence (AI) to help with intake, routing, and reviewing applications, screen for completeness and inconsistencies, enforce required fields, validate basic property and zoning information, and send applications to all necessary agencies at once. It will also provide applicant assistance through chat and frequently asked questions, while ensuring that human support remains available and that AI enhances rather than replaces it. The bill appropriates $50,000 for the development of this platform, but this funding is contingent on each county providing a matching $12,500. This initiative stems from recommendations by the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) task force, which identified lengthy delays in the permitting process, often caused by incomplete or incorrect submissions, and incompatible data standards across different counties. The goal is to create a more efficient and consistent permitting process statewide, with the platform set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2908&year=2026