Hawaii Senate Bill SB2218

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/26
• Refer: 1/26/26

Caption

RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

Summary

SB2218 would require the Hawaii Land Use Commission, when requested by a county, to reclassify land that is already designated for urban growth in a county general plan or county development plan into the state urban district. The bill is aimed at aligning state land use district boundaries with county planning decisions so that land identified for urban development can move more quickly through the state land use system. To carry out the change, a county would submit a request with a description and metes-and-bounds map of the property, and the commission would have 90 days to update the relevant USGS quadrangle maps and notify the county. The boundary amendment would take effect when the commission provides that notice. The bill also directs the commission to adopt rules to implement the new process.

Impact

The bill would amend chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by creating a new procedure for state urban district boundary changes based on county general plans or development plans. It would limit the Land Use Commission’s discretion in this narrow circumstance by requiring reclassification upon county request, provided the required analyses are completed beforehand, and would establish a ministerial 90-day map-updating and notice process. The practical effect would be to speed state land use approvals for parcels already planned for urban growth, which could affect affordable housing developers, counties, and landowners seeking urban development.

Sentiment

The stated legislative purpose is strongly supportive of affordable housing production and reducing delays caused by the state-county dual land use system. Although there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, the bill’s framing suggests a generally pro-development and pro-affordable-housing posture. The bill was referred to WLA/EIG and JDC, indicating it was still in the committee process at the time of the last action.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the shift of authority from the Land Use Commission to counties in deciding when land should be moved into the urban district. Supporters would view the bill as a needed streamlining measure for affordable housing and urban growth, while opponents may be concerned that it reduces state-level review, weakens land use controls, or could encourage urban expansion beyond what the commission would otherwise approve. Another possible issue is the bill’s reliance on county planning designations and the undefined scope of the “requisite analyses” that must be completed before a request is submitted.