HB 1571: Condominiums; Project; Registration; Agricultural District; Neighborhood Boards

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 514B-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  An application for registration of a project in the agricultural district classified pursuant to chapter 205 shall include a verified statement, signed by an appropriate county official, that the project as described and set forth in the project's declaration, condominium map, bylaws, and house rules does not include any restrictions limiting or prohibiting agricultural uses or activities, in compliance with section 205-4.6.  For projects containing greater than [five] two units, the statement shall also include the applicant's assessment and county comments regarding the availability of supportive infrastructure, any potential impact on governmental plans and resources, sensitive environmental resources, and any other requirements pursuant to county ordinances and rules.  In counties with neighborhood boards subject to part VII of chapter 92, an applicant for a project shall make a presentation on the project to the applicable neighborhood board.  The developer's public report shall include the verified statement in addition to the information required by section 514B-83.  The commission shall not accept the registration of a project where a county official has not signed a verified statement."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Condominiums; Project; Registration; Agricultural District; Neighborhood Boards

Description:

For purposes of registering a condominium project in an agricultural district, (1) lowers the minimum threshold from projects with five units to projects with two units for which a signed statement from a county is required and (2) requires the project applicant to make a presentation on the project to the neighborhood board, if applicable.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to condominiums.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 514B-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  An application for registration of a project in the agricultural district classified pursuant to chapter 205 shall include a verified statement, signed by an appropriate county official, that the project as described and set forth in the project's declaration, condominium map, bylaws, and house rules does not include any restrictions limiting or prohibiting agricultural uses or activities, in compliance with section 205-4.6.  For projects containing greater than [five] two units, the statement shall also include the applicant's assessment and county comments regarding the availability of supportive infrastructure, any potential impact on governmental plans and resources, sensitive environmental resources, and any other requirements pursuant to county ordinances and rules.  In counties with neighborhood boards subject to part VII of chapter 92, the application shall also include a signed statement from the neighborhood board, signed by the neighborhood board's chairperson or designee, that summarizes the project and the project's uses as presented subject to section 92-3.  The developer's public report shall include the verified statement and, if applicable, the signed statement from the neighborhood board in addition to the information required by section 514B-83.  The commission shall not accept the registration of a project where a county official has not signed a verified statement[.] or where a neighborhood board's chairperson or designee has not signed a statement summarizing the project or the project's uses."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Condominiums; Project; Registration; Agricultural District; Neighborhood Boards

Description:

For purposes of registering a condominium project in an agricultural district, (1) lowers the threshold from projects with five units to projects with two units for which a signed statement from a county is required and (2) requires a signed statement from the neighborhood board, if applicable.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  463-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1571

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1571 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is, for purposes of registering a condominium project in an agricultural district, to:

     (1)  Lower the minimum threshold from projects with five units to projects with two units for which a signed statement from a county is required; and

     (2)  Require a signed statement from the neighborhood board, if applicable.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy and three individuals.  

     Your Committee finds that preserving Hawaii's agricultural lands supports the State's resilience goals.  Your Committee further finds that the proliferation of condominium projects on agricultural lands can disrupt communities, strain infrastructure, and misuse lands intended for agriculture.  This measure takes important steps to mitigate the threat of condominium property regime speculation on agricultural land and aims to ensure community members are informed of condominium projects being proposed in the community.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Rather than requiring an application for a project to include a signed statement from a neighborhood board's chairperson summarizing the project and its uses, requiring the applicant for a project to make a presentation to the applicable neighborhood board; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1571, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1571, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,