HB526

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	526
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to COUNTY permits.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§46- County permits; state projects; designated staff. (a) Each county permitting agency shall establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects; provided that each county permitting agency may contract the services of a third party to process permit applications submitted for state projects until the time that the positions are filled.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

"County permitting agency" means the planning department of the counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii and the department of planning and permitting of the city and county of Honolulu, or any other county agency designated by the county councils to issue building, construction, or development-related permits.

"State project" means any activity directly undertaken by the State or its political subdivisions or supported in whole or in part through appropriations, contracts, grants, loans, or other forms of funding assistance from the State or its political subdivisions."

SECTION 2. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the counties to establish and fill positions pursuant to section 1 of this Act, to be allocated as follows:

(1) $ to the city and county of Honolulu;

(2) $ to the county of Maui;

(3) $ to the county of Hawaii; and

(4) $ to the county of Kauai.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by each county for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Counties; Permits; State Projects; Designated Staff; Appropriations

Description:

Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. 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.

HB 526: RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Current Status:

News Coverage: