HB 1967: Permitting; Permitting Workforce Pipeline; Hiring; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii; Community Colleges; Counties; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-10: Referred to EDT/EDU, WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
Requires the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to create a permitting workforce pipeline with the University of Hawaii and community colleges to recruit and train people for state and county permitting jobs. The pipeline would offer tuition incentives (reimbursement, loan repayment, or loan forgiveness), match students to permitting agencies, set service commitments, and work with agencies to set job classifications, competitive pay and benefits, faster hiring options, and supervised trainee roles.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1967 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO PERMITTING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) task force was established pursuant to Act 133, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025. The SPEED task force brought together various state and county agencies and stakeholders to address issues related to obtaining permits for housing, infrastructure, and other projects. The legislature further finds that the SPEED task force is responsible for identifying actions taken, challenges encountered, and legislative measures needed to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes.
In its initial phase, the SPEED task force split into three permitted interaction groups, each focused on a specific, high-impact segment of the permitting system. The SPEED task force then submitted to the legislature a December 2025 final report of the permitted interaction groups, representing a combined report of the three permitted interaction groups, which outlined findings regarding existing actions and persistent challenges and presented initial recommendations for legislative and administrative measures to improve permitting processes statewide.
The legislature additionally finds that in the December 2025 final report, the SPEED task force identified issues related to understaffing and recruitment as a common impediment to the permitting process. County departments identified this issue as a major cause of permit backlog and poor plan quality. The SPEED task force recommended that the legislature invest in a long-term permitting workforce strategy to support the recruitment and retention of state and county employees who fill these key roles.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the department of business, economic development, and tourism to:
(1) Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and
(2) Coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall, in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges, develop a permitting workforce pipeline that utilizes existing academic programs to support the recruitment of new state and county permitting agency employees.
(b) The permitting workforce pipeline shall:
(1) Include tuition incentives for college students who enter state and county permitting agency jobs; provided that these tuition incentives may be structured as reimbursement, loan repayment, or post-service loan forgiveness;
(2) Establish clear service commitments for students receiving tuition benefits; and
(3) Match students with state and county permitting agencies.
(c) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall coordinate with applicable state and county permitting agencies to:
(1) Develop classification levels for permit technicians and plan reviewers and ensure opportunities for career advancement;
(2) Develop salary and benefit scales that are comparable to the private sector;
(3) Develop emergency hiring processes to be used by agencies to fill immediate gaps;
(4) Ensure greater flexibility in hiring with respect to salary and minimum qualifications; and
(5) Ensure that trainee and junior reviewer employees can handle routine scopes under supervision.
(d) The department of business, economic development, and tourism may consult with the department of human resources development when developing the classification levels, salary and benefit scales, and hiring processes pursuant to subsection (c).
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of business, economic development, and tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Permitting; Permitting Workforce Pipeline; Hiring; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii; Community Colleges; Counties; Appropriation
Description:
Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds. 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.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1967 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to permitting.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) task force was established pursuant to Act 133, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025. The SPEED task force brought together various state and county agencies and stakeholders to address issues related to obtaining permits for housing, infrastructure, and other projects. The legislature further finds that the SPEED task force is responsible for identifying actions taken, challenges encountered, and legislative measures needed to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes.
In its initial phase, the SPEED task force split into three permitted interaction groups, each focused on a specific, high-impact segment of the permitting system. The SPEED task force then submitted to the legislature a December 2025 final report of the permitted interaction groups, representing a combined report of the three permitted interaction groups, which outlined findings regarding existing actions and persistent challenges and presented initial recommendations for legislative and administrative measures to improve permitting processes statewide.
The legislature additionally finds that in the December 2025 final report, the SPEED task force identified issues related to understaffing and recruitment as a common impediment to the permitting process. County departments identified this issue as a major cause of permit backlog and poor plan quality. The SPEED task force recommended that the legislature invest in a long-term permitting workforce strategy to support the recruitment and retention of state and county employees that fill these key roles.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of business, economic development, and tourism to:
(1) Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and
(2) Coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall, in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges, develop a permitting workforce pipeline to support the recruitment of new state and county permitting agency employees.
(b) The permitting workforce pipeline shall:
(1) Include tuition incentives for college students that enter state and county permitting agency jobs;
(2) Establish clear service commitments for students receiving tuition benefits; and
(3) Match students with state and county permitting agencies.
(c) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall coordinate with applicable state and county permitting agencies to:
(1) Develop classification levels for permit technicians and plan reviewers and ensure opportunities for career advancement;
(2) Develop salary and benefit scales that are comparable to the private sector;
(3) Develop emergency hiring processes to be used by agencies to fill immediate gaps;
(4) Ensure greater flexibility in hiring with respect to salary and minimum qualifications; and
(5) Ensure that trainee and junior reviewer employees can handle routine scopes under supervision.
(c) The department of business, economic development, and tourism may consult with the department of human resources development when developing the classification levels, salary and benefit scales, and hiring processes pursuant to subsection (b).
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of business, economic development, and tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Permitting; Permitting Workforce Pipeline; Hiring; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii; Community Colleges; Counties; Appropriation
Description:
Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to EDT/EDU, WAM. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 66). |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 780-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 2, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 03-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 404-26), recommending referral to FIN. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, La Chica, Olds, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kila. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Friday, 02-13-26 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HED with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1). |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 144-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HED. |
| Feb 4, 2026 | The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 02-04-26 10:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Referred to ECD, HED, FIN, referral sheet 3 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 5, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 2, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Higher Education |
Passed |
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| Feb 4, 2026 | The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO | ** Support | |
| Holomua Collaborative | ** Support | |
| Housing Hawaiʻi's Future | ** Support | |
| Land Use Research Foundation of Hawai’i | *** Support | Mar 3, 2026 |
| Maui Chamber of Commerce | ** Support | |
| Office of Planning and Sustainable Development | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 780-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1967
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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1967, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERMITTING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
(1) Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and
(2) Coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi; Holomua Collaborative; Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and BOMA Hawaiʻi.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1967, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 404-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1967
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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1967, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERMITTING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
(1) Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and
(2) Coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning & Sustainable Development; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Housing Hawaiʻi's Future; Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.
Your Committee finds that the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) Task Force established pursuant to Act 133, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, has identified issues related to understaffing and recruitment of permitting agency employees as a common impediment to the permitting process. Your Committee further finds that this measure leverages existing local educational infrastructure to bridge technical gaps in the State's permitting agencies.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1967, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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____________________________ ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 144-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1967
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 Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1967 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERMITTING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
(1) Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and
(2) Coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.
Your Committee finds that the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) Task Force was established pursuant to Act 133, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, to identify actions taken, challenges encountered, and legislative measures needed to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes. Your Committee further finds that in the SPEED Task Force's December 2025 Final Report, it identified issues related to understaffing and recruitment of permitting agency employees as a common impediment to the permitting process. The SPEED Task Force recommended that the Legislature invest in a long-term permitting workforce strategy to help address these issues. This measure therefore implements this recommendation by requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline and coordinate permitting agencies on certain workforce-related tasks.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the permitting workforce pipeline shall utilize existing academic programs at the University Hawaii and community colleges;
(2) Clarifying that tuition incentives may be structured as reimbursement, loan repayment, or post-service loan forgiveness;
(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $200,000.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1967, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1967, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,
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____________________________ GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 3, 2026 | HB1967_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_03-02-26_.PDF |
| Feb 13, 2026 | HB1967_HD1_TESTIMONY_HED_02-13-26_.PDF |
| Feb 4, 2026 | HB1967_TESTIMONY_ECD-TOU_02-04-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
54SEC
House Standing Committee on Finance
23SEC
House Standing Committee on Finance
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Higher Education
45SEC
House Standing Committee on Higher Education
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Tourism
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Tourism
1MIN
