STAND. COM. REP. NO.  672-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   H.R. No. 4

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.R. No. 4 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO WORK WITH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES TO REVIEW THE PREREQUISITES FOR OBTAINING PERMIT APPROVAL FOR DEVELOPMENTS AT THE STATE AND COUNTY LEVELS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to make the process for the provision of development permits more timely, uniform, and efficient by requesting the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to work with construction industry representatives to review the prerequisites for obtaining permit approval for developments at the state and county levels.

 

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism provided comments on this measure.  

 

     According to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Honolulu will require 5,300 residential units to be built annually until 2020 to meet current and anticipated housing demands.  With Hawaii's housing needs increasing, a coordinated effort among all levels of government and the private sector is necessary to facilitate efficiency in the permit approval process for construction projects.

 

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism that the undertaking proposed by this measure would entail efforts, including the conduct of surveys, which would cost approximately $100,000. Nevertheless, your Committee finds that this measure deserves further consideration.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 4 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair