STAND. COM. REP. NO. 214

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 870

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 870 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the utility companies to install infrastructure or equipment whenever an affordable housing development within a transit-oriented development area requires the infrastructure or equipment to be installed underground.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Habitat for Humanity.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaiian Electric Company.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

 

     Your Committee finds that the costs associated with utility infrastructure and equipment for affordable housing projects can render a development financially unfeasible.  This is especially true when utility infrastructure and equipment are required to be placed underground where the costs are significantly higher.  Because of the crisis that Hawaii is facing due to the lack of affordable housing, your Committee finds that the utility companies should bear responsibility for underground installation of infrastructure and equipment so that more affordable housing units can be constructed for Hawaii's residents.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 870 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

 

 

 

________________________________

STANLEY CHANG, Chair