Hawaii Senate Bill SB73

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Report Pass: 2/11/25
• Refer: 2/11/25

Caption

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Summary

SB73 would require county permitting agencies in Hawaiʻi to create and fill staff positions dedicated exclusively to processing permit applications for state projects. The bill defines county permitting agencies to include the planning departments of Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi counties, and the City and County of Honolulu’s department of planning and permitting, as well as any other county agency designated to issue building, construction, or development-related permits. It also defines “state project” broadly to include projects directly undertaken by the State or its political subdivisions, as well as projects supported by state funding assistance such as appropriations, contracts, grants, or loans. To support implementation, the bill appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the four counties, with amounts to be allocated among Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi, and Kauaʻi. The funds are to be used by each county to establish and fill the dedicated permit-processing positions. Although the bill text states an effective date of May 13, 2040, the measure is framed as an administrative and funding mechanism intended to speed review of permits tied to public projects.

Impact

If enacted, SB73 would amend Chapter 46 of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes by adding a new county-permitting requirement applicable to state projects and by creating a state appropriation for county staffing. It would not directly change substantive land-use or building standards, but it would impose an operational mandate on county permitting agencies to prioritize and separately staff permit processing for qualifying public projects. Counties would receive state funds for this purpose and would be responsible for spending those funds to create and maintain the designated positions.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill at the committee level. The Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee passed the measure with amendments by a 5-0 vote, indicating unanimous support among those voting. The bill was then reported and passed second reading as amended before referral to Ways and Means, which is consistent with a measure that was viewed positively but still required fiscal review because it includes an appropriation.

Contention

No committee transcript is available, so specific arguments for or against the bill are not recorded in the provided materials. The most likely points of discussion are the administrative burden on counties, the cost of creating dedicated staff positions, and whether state-funded staffing is the best way to reduce permitting delays. The broad definition of “state project” could also raise questions about which projects qualify for expedited processing and whether county agencies would need to reallocate staff or create entirely new positions to comply.