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Committee advances Ohana zones bill; members add preference for sites with utility hookups
Summary
SB 1610 SD2, which would continue funding for Ohana zones and allow HHFDC to exempt projects from GET, passed with amendments that prefer sites with utility connections and require hookups as soon as feasible unless renewable options are more cost-effective.
The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness voted to pass SB 1610 SD2 with amendments to prioritize Ohana Zones project sites that can connect to utilities and to require connection "as soon as the project is able," unless a more cost-effective renewable energy option exists.
June Yang, the governor's homeless coordinator at the State Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions, told the committee the office supports the bill but raised practical concerns about sites that temporarily rely on generators or off-grid systems. Yang said supply-chain delays tied to COVID-era backlogs have made some components — notably electrical transformers — take 18 to 24 months to procure, which can slow project timelines. "If we were to receive the budget for these types of projects, we would not be able to spend it in time," she said, noting the office seeks flexibility to deliver projects in communities with pressing needs.
Committee amendments remove an included repeal date and add a sunset of 06/30/2029; they also revise language on site selection to prefer locations with utility hookup ability and to require connections when feasible, while allowing for cost-effective renewable alternatives. The committee voted unanimously to pass the amended bill.
