Senate committee approves SB 67 to bar inclusionary zoning requirements on certain owner‑occupied and perpetually affordable units

The Senate Committee on Housing voted Feb. 6 to pass Senate Bill 67 with technical, non‑substantive amendments. The bill, as described by staff during the hearing, would prohibit any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale or rent in perpetuity to buyers or renters who are Hawaii residents, are owner‑occupiers or renter‑owner occupants or renters, and do not own other real property.

HHFDC and the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii testified in support; other public testifiers registered support. Committee members adopted technical amendments for clarity and consistency during decision making.

Committee discussion during decision making was limited to technical edits and there were no further substantive questions recorded. The chair’s recommendation to pass SB 67 with amendments was adopted; the roll call in the transcript records the chair and vice chair voting “aye,” with at least one member excused.

Outcome: Passed with technical amendments. The committee report will reflect the adopted non‑substantive changes.

Why it matters: The bill would constrain local inclusionary zoning mandates for housing that meets the specified owner‑occupancy and perpetuity conditions, which proponents said clarifies protections for certain resident‑eligible, perpetually affordable units.

Next steps: The measure moves forward in the legislative process with the committee’s recommended amendments recorded.