Relating To Construction.
The bill amends Chapter 46 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by officially defining state-related construction projects and establishing DAGS as the central authority for permitting. This alteration may lead to faster project approvals, enabling the state to execute construction projects more efficiently. However, the removal of county oversight could raise concerns about the adequacy of local input in construction projects that may affect communities directly.
House Bill 2118 proposes significant changes to the permitting requirements for state-related construction projects in Hawaii. Under the new legislation, all state-related construction projects would be exempt from county permitting requirements. The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is designated to perform all permitting functions for these projects. This change is intended to streamline the process, potentially reducing delays associated with local permitting.
Notably, there are potential points of contention stemming from this bill. Opponents may argue that exempting state projects from local permits undermines local governance and community rights to influence developments in their areas. Conversely, supporters might advocate that this bill allows for necessary infrastructure improvements without the hindrance of layered bureaucratic processes, particularly during times of economic urgency.