The proposed law amends section 46-15.25 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, making substantial changes in how infrastructure related to affordable housing is handled. By mandating a definitive timeline for county responses, SB8 seeks to facilitate quicker integration of private housing projects into county systems. This could enhance the speed at which affordable housing is developed and connected to essential utilities and services, thereby addressing a vital need in the state.
Summary
SB8 aims to streamline the process of dedicating infrastructure for affordable housing projects in Hawaii. The bill recognizes ongoing challenges related to housing affordability in the state and identifies delays caused by counties when they do not act within a reasonable timeframe to accept public infrastructure associated with housing developments. The legislation clarifies that if counties do not respond to requests for dedication of infrastructure within sixty days, such requests are automatically deemed accepted. This is intended to eliminate bottlenecks that can hinder the development of needed housing supply.
Contention
One key aspect of contention surrounding SB8 involves the potential implications for local control. Critics may argue that automatic acceptance of infrastructure could lead to oversights in project quality or security concerns. The proposed legislation permits the use of licensed private building inspectors to certify compliance with county standards, which could be seen as a way to mitigate concerns about the integrity of these infrastructure connections. Thus, while the bill seeks to expedite housing creation, ongoing discourse may focus on how to balance efficiency with thorough oversight of public infrastructure.