Relating To School Impact Fees.
If enacted, this legislation would amend Act 197 from 2021 by repealing its sunset provision set for July 1, 2024, thereby ensuring that the exemption remains in effect indefinitely. This change underscores the state's commitment to addressing housing shortages and improving educational access for those within the DHHL’s jurisdiction.
Senate Bill 3108 seeks to make permanent the exemption from school impact fees for housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). This bill aims to enable the development of more housing specifically for beneficiaries, who are individuals qualified under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Currently, the exemptions allow the DHHL to lease educational facilities, such as public schools and early learning centers, at minimal or no cost, ultimately helping to provide necessary infrastructure for these communities.
The bill's passage may prompt differing opinions among stakeholders. Advocates argue that extending the exemption facilitates broader housing development, benefiting the DHHL beneficiaries by easing financial burdens related to school impact fees. Conversely, critics may raise concerns about how this exemption could affect funding for local educational infrastructure, given that impact fees are often used to support school construction and improvements.