Hawaii Senate Bill SCR69

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Report Pass: 3/31/26
• Refer: 3/31/26
• Engrossed: 4/7/26
• Refer: 4/10/26
• Report Pass: 4/20/26
• Refer: 4/20/26
• Report Pass: 4/27/26
• Passed: 4/28/26

Caption

Requesting The State Auditor To Conduct A Performance Audit Of The Hawaii State Building Code Council.

Impact

The resolution highlights concerns that the frequent updates mandated for building codes—every three years—have resulted in burdensome processes for stakeholders, disrupted the construction industry, and contributed to inefficiencies. SCR69 also points out that an emergency proclamation by the Governor in September 2023 recognized the inefficacy of the Council, which has since been largely inactive, especially during a time when Hawaii faces a housing shortage and the urgent need for streamlined regulatory processes.

Summary

SCR69 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii, requesting the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council. This resolution addresses the need for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the Council, which was established to maintain statewide building codes aimed at promoting public safety and uniform construction standards across the counties of Hawaii. The bill emphasizes that the Council's operations have inadvertently led to greater inconsistency and unpredictability in local jurisdictions regarding building regulations.

Conclusion

Ultimately, SCR69 aims to provide clarity and recommendations through the performance audit, which will support legislative actions and potential modifications, including the possibility of repealing the Council altogether. The anticipated report from the State Auditor is expected to inform stakeholders about the future governance and structure of building code regulations in Hawaii, helping to drive efficiency and effectiveness in construction practices.

Contention

Notably, SCR69 seeks to examine various aspects, including whether the existing structure of the Hawaii State Building Code Council is duplicative of county functions, and whether counties should assume more responsibility for funding and managing building code adoption. The audit will also investigate the Council’s historical performance, its impacts on construction costs and timelines, and its contributions to public safety and regulatory consistency. This examination is positioned as an essential step in resolving the housing crisis in Hawaii and facilitating more effective governance in building code management.