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Committee advances historic‑preservation bills; debate on definition and tax credit outreach
Summary
The committee passed two historic‑preservation measures: one clarifying registry definitions (SB15 SD1) and another extending a state historic‑preservation income tax credit (SB1462). NIAP opposed broadening the registry definition in SB15, while SHPD and OHA described outreach and training plans for tax‑credit eligibility.
The House Committee on Water & Land advanced two historic‑preservation measures after mixed testimony on scope and outreach.
SB15 (SD1) — definition and expedited review: Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in support but Native‑interest groups including NIAP (testifying in opposition) warned that the bill’s current draft broadened the registry definition to include additional Native Hawaiian cultural practices and could unintentionally broaden the scope beyond the bill’s intent to expedite backlog reviews. NIAP recommended amendments to tighten the definition and suggested parallel changes to HRS provisions (referenced in testimony as chapter 6E and specific sections) to protect housing projects and projects in nominally sensitive areas. The committee adopted technical amendments and took NIAP’s suggested directions under consideration for further drafting.
SB1462 (state historic‑preservation income tax credit): The Department of Taxation provided a revenue estimate and said it expects the program to hit the statutory cap in each year of availability. DLNR and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) supported the measure. SHPD’s administrator said the agency historically did outreach and training for potential tax‑credit applicants (targeting neighborhoods with high concentrations of eligible properties, and coordinating with historic preservation foundations and local historic commissions). SHPD said it notifies property owners when a proposed project triggers review and that the division is restarting outreach following a COVID‑era slowdown.
Committee action: The committee passed both bills with technical amendments and recorded several members’ reservations on the record for SB15; SB1462 moved forward with technical edits mirroring existing statutory language from related credits per the committee’s changes.
Why it matters: The registry‑definition bill affects how properties qualify for expedited review and can alter the universe of eligible projects; the tax‑credit extension has fiscal implications and will require outreach so eligible property owners can use the incentive.
What’s next: Both bills will proceed to subsequent committees. SHPD said it will pursue outreach and training to ensure owners are aware of tax‑credit opportunities if SB1462 becomes law.
