SB 75: RELATING TO HOUSING.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to housing.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established a working group to revise the State's qualified allocation plan, the prioritization of the rental housing revolving fund, and the terms of loans made from the fund.

     (b)  The working group shall make recommendations to revise:

     (1)  The State's qualified allocation plan to more effectively allocate federal and state low-income housing tax credits to projects that best meet the housing needs of the State; and

     (2)  The prioritization of the rental housing revolving fund and the terms of loans made from the fund to support low-income rental housing project and mixed-income rental projects.

     (c)  The working group shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The executive director of the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation, or the executive director's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The executive director of the Hawaii public housing authority, or the executive director's designee;

     (3)  The chairpersons of the senate and house of representatives standing committees on housing, or their designees; and

     (4)  Relevant stakeholders, as recommended by the members of the working group, who shall be invited by the working group's chairperson.

     (d)  The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

     (e)  The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

     (f)  No member of the working group shall be subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of the member's participation in the working group.

     (g)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2026.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Housing; Qualified Allocation Plan; RHRF; Prioritization; Terms; Working Group; Report

Description:

Establishes a working group to revise the State's Qualified Allocation Plan, the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and the terms of loans made from the RHRF.  Requires a report to the Legislature.

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. 3

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 75

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 75 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a working group to revise the State's Qualified Allocation Plan, the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and the terms of loans made from the Fund; and

     (2)  Require a report to the Legislature.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Holomua Collaborative.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Mark Development Inc.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, NAIOP Hawaii, and Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) is the principal agency responsible for the development of the State's Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) to administer the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program.  Additionally, HHFDC is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund.  As the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the Rental Housing Revolving Fund provide two significant sources of funding for the diverse housing needs of Hawaii's residents, it is critical that these resources are allocated through a transparent, accountable, and efficient process.  Therefore, the establishment of a working group will align the State's housing priorities to ensure that the housing needs of all residents, including the State's most vulnerable populations, are represented while providing opportunities for stakeholder participation.

     Your Committee notes that HHFDC has conducted two successive rounds of revisions to the QAP in 2023 and 2024.  However, your Committee notes that HHFDC utilized manifestly inadequate public outreach processes when engaging the community.  During the 2024 QAP revision, testimony from all participants revealed a consensus that the decision-making process lacked two-way communication and transparency.  For example, testimony submitted by Mark Development Inc. to HHFDC on October 4, 2024, stated that "the proposed changes to the [Qualified Allocation Plan]" are such a "significant departure" from the previous QAP that it recommended the changes not be implemented before "the calendar year 2030".  Accordingly, establishing a statutory working group will help ensure the participation of all stakeholders in a regular, ongoing dialogue that will foster the most efficient, transparent, and predictable use of state taxpayer funds in the process of revising the QAP.

     As HHFDC is promising to convene a working group for the third consecutive year, your Committee hopes that the working group will effectuate the intent of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 75 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,