Hawaii Senate Bill SR46

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Adopt Administrative Rules That Preempt The Counties From Imposing Residential Income Requirements On Housing Projects Subject To Section 201h-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, That Are Lower Than Those Adopted Or Established By The State.

Impact

The bill seeks to centralize authority over residential income requirements to the state level. Currently, county governments have the ability to approve or disapprove housing projects subject to their own established income requirements. SR46 intends to counter this by ensuring that counties cannot impose standards that are more lenient than state-established thresholds. This change is anticipated to standardize housing development processes and enhance the effectiveness of state housing strategies.

Summary

Senate Resolution 46 (SR46) requests the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to adopt administrative rules that prevent counties from implementing residential income requirements on housing projects that are lower than those set by the state. This measure is aimed at addressing the urgent housing crisis in Hawaii, marked by high home prices and stringent regulatory environments. The bill underscores the need for uniformity in housing regulations across counties to alleviate some of the burdens associated with housing affordability.

Contention

Supporters of SR46 argue that the bill will provide a clearer framework for developers, likely expediting housing projects crucial to tackling the statewide housing crisis. However, opponents may express concerns over local autonomy and the potential reduction in tailored approaches to housing that counties might have, which could better reflect local needs and circumstances. This tension between state and local governance over housing regulations is likely to be a point of contention as discussions around the bill progress.