Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB1168 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1168 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to structural integrity assessments. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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3	3	THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1168
4	4	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
5	5	STATE OF HAWAII
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7	7	THE SENATE
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9	9	S.B. NO.
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13	13	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
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17	17	STATE OF HAWAII
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31	31	A BILL FOR AN ACT
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37	37	relating to structural integrity assessments.
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43	43	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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47	47	SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of multi-story buildings, especially buildings on or adjacent to shorelines. In 2021, a condominium collapsed in Surfside, Florida, causing the loss of ninety-eight lives. The accident underscored the devastating consequences of structural failures in aging buildings and led Florida to require regular structural integrity assessment inspections. Florida also reserved significant funding to make necessary repairs to the state's older condominium buildings. The legislature notes that Hawaii has many multi-story structures, including condominiums, apartments, and hotels, located on or adjacent to the State's shorelines. Many of these buildings are more than thirty years old. The coastal environment exposes these buildings to unique stressors, including saltwater corrosion and soil erosion, which can compromise structural integrity over time. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to protect public safety, mitigate government liability, provide critical data to inform future policy decisions, and preserve property values by requiring the department of accounting and general services to establish a proactive structural integrity assessment program to inspect aging multi-story structures along the State's shorelines, beginning with structures in South Maui and West Maui. SECTION 2. Chapter 107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§107- Structural integrity assessment program. (a) There is established the structural integrity assessment program within the department of accounting and general services. The program shall oversee the mandatory inspection of all multi‑story structures: (1) Located on beachfront property; and (2) Constructed before 1995. (b) All inspections conducted for purposes of the program shall adhere to a standardized assessment methodology developed by the department of accounting and general services, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii and department of land and natural resources. (c) For each multi-story structure inspected, the program shall provide: (1) An initial structural assessment to identify cracking, settling, or other foundational or structural issues; (2) A detailed evaluation of load-bearing components, including beams, columns, walls, and floors; (3) Other assessments, as needed, including engineering analyses and environmental assessments; (4) If applicable, an assessment by the department of land and natural resources of shoreline conditions that may contribute to structural vulnerabilities; (5) Recommendations for any necessary repairs or further assessments; and (6) An inspection report for property owners or associations, identifying findings and timelines for any needed corrective actions. (d) All property owners or associations responsible for properties subject to inspection pursuant to this section shall: (1) Allow access to the property for all needed inspections and assessments; and (2) Address any identified structural issues within the timelines specified in the inspection report. (e) Each county having multi-story structures that are subject to this section shall: (1) Facilitate inspections by granting access to relevant permits and records; and (2) Assist with outreach to property owners regarding compliance requirements. (f) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section may result in: (1) Civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation; (2) Suspension of occupancy permits; or (3) Legal action initiated by the State or county to enforce compliance. (g) The department of accounting and general services 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 each regular session, beginning with the regular session of 2026. The report shall include: (1) A summary of all inspections conducted in the previous year, including key findings and trends; (2) Recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions necessary to address common structural issues; and (3) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. (h) For purposes of this section: "Beachfront property" means real estate located on or immediately adjacent to the shoreline area, as established by the State. "Multi-story structure" means a building consisting of three or more stories above the ground level. "Program" means the structural integrity assessment program established in this chapter. "Structural issues" means deficiencies or deteriorations in a building's load-bearing components that compromise the building's safety and stability, including deficiencies or deteriorations in the building's: (1) Foundation; (2) Beams; (3) Columns; (4) Walls; or (5) Floors." SECTION 3. No later than December 31, 2025, the department of accounting and general services, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii and department of land and natural resources, shall develop and disseminate the standardized assessment methodology required by section 2 of this Act. SECTION 4. The structural integrity assessment inspections of multi-story structures required by part 2 of this Act shall begin with the inspection of structures in South Maui and West Maui. SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment and operations of the structural integrity assessment program established by this Act. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that part 5 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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49	49	SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of multi-story buildings, especially buildings on or adjacent to shorelines. In 2021, a condominium collapsed in Surfside, Florida, causing the loss of ninety-eight lives. The accident underscored the devastating consequences of structural failures in aging buildings and led Florida to require regular structural integrity assessment inspections. Florida also reserved significant funding to make necessary repairs to the state's older condominium buildings.
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51	51	The legislature notes that Hawaii has many multi-story structures, including condominiums, apartments, and hotels, located on or adjacent to the State's shorelines. Many of these buildings are more than thirty years old. The coastal environment exposes these buildings to unique stressors, including saltwater corrosion and soil erosion, which can compromise structural integrity over time.
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53	53	Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to protect public safety, mitigate government liability, provide critical data to inform future policy decisions, and preserve property values by requiring the department of accounting and general services to establish a proactive structural integrity assessment program to inspect aging multi-story structures along the State's shorelines, beginning with structures in South Maui and West Maui.
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55	55	SECTION 2. Chapter 107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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57	57	"§107- Structural integrity assessment program. (a) There is established the structural integrity assessment program within the department of accounting and general services. The program shall oversee the mandatory inspection of all multi‑story structures:
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59	59	(1) Located on beachfront property; and
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61	61	(2) Constructed before 1995.
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63	63	(b) All inspections conducted for purposes of the program shall adhere to a standardized assessment methodology developed by the department of accounting and general services, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii and department of land and natural resources.
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65	65	(c) For each multi-story structure inspected, the program shall provide:
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67	67	(1) An initial structural assessment to identify cracking, settling, or other foundational or structural issues;
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69	69	(2) A detailed evaluation of load-bearing components, including beams, columns, walls, and floors;
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71	71	(3) Other assessments, as needed, including engineering analyses and environmental assessments;
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73	73	(4) If applicable, an assessment by the department of land and natural resources of shoreline conditions that may contribute to structural vulnerabilities;
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75	75	(5) Recommendations for any necessary repairs or further assessments; and
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77	77	(6) An inspection report for property owners or associations, identifying findings and timelines for any needed corrective actions.
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79	79	(d) All property owners or associations responsible for properties subject to inspection pursuant to this section shall:
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81	81	(1) Allow access to the property for all needed inspections and assessments; and
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83	83	(2) Address any identified structural issues within the timelines specified in the inspection report.
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85	85	(e) Each county having multi-story structures that are subject to this section shall:
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87	87	(1) Facilitate inspections by granting access to relevant permits and records; and
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89	89	(2) Assist with outreach to property owners regarding compliance requirements.
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91	91	(f) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section may result in:
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93	93	(1) Civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation;
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95	95	(2) Suspension of occupancy permits; or
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97	97	(3) Legal action initiated by the State or county to enforce compliance.
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99	99	(g) The department of accounting and general services 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 each regular session, beginning with the regular session of 2026. The report shall include:
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101	101	(1) A summary of all inspections conducted in the previous year, including key findings and trends;
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103	103	(2) Recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions necessary to address common structural issues; and
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105	105	(3) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.
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107	107	(h) For purposes of this section:
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109	109	"Beachfront property" means real estate located on or immediately adjacent to the shoreline area, as established by the State.
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111	111	"Multi-story structure" means a building consisting of three or more stories above the ground level.
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113	113	"Program" means the structural integrity assessment program established in this chapter.
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115	115	"Structural issues" means deficiencies or deteriorations in a building's load-bearing components that compromise the building's safety and stability, including deficiencies or deteriorations in the building's:
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117	117	(1) Foundation;
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119	119	(2) Beams;
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121	121	(3) Columns;
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123	123	(4) Walls; or
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125	125	(5) Floors."
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127	127	SECTION 3. No later than December 31, 2025, the department of accounting and general services, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii and department of land and natural resources, shall develop and disseminate the standardized assessment methodology required by section 2 of this Act.
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129	129	SECTION 4. The structural integrity assessment inspections of multi-story structures required by part 2 of this Act shall begin with the inspection of structures in South Maui and West Maui.
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131	131	SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment and operations of the structural integrity assessment program established by this Act.
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133	133	The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.
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135	135	SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
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137	137	SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that part 5 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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141	141	INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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143	143	INTRODUCED BY:
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151	151	Report Title: DAGS; DLNR; UH; Structural Integrity; Assessments; Inspections; Report; Appropriation Description: Establishes and appropriates moneys for the development of a structural integrity assessment program within the Department of Accounting and General Services to inspect certain multi-story structures. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to develop a standardized assessment methodology, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii and Department of Land and Natural Resources, for use in program inspections. Requires the program to begin with assessments of structures in South Maui and West Maui. Requires annual reports 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.
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159	159	Report Title:
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161	161	DAGS; DLNR; UH; Structural Integrity; Assessments; Inspections; Report; Appropriation
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165	165	Description:
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167	167	Establishes and appropriates moneys for the development of a structural integrity assessment program within the Department of Accounting and General Services to inspect certain multi-story structures. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to develop a standardized assessment methodology, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii and Department of Land and Natural Resources, for use in program inspections. Requires the program to begin with assessments of structures in South Maui and West Maui. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
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175	175	The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.