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House committee advances package of housing resolutions; votes and next steps
Summary
The committee passed seven housing-related resolutions covering affordable-housing credits, East Kapolei land transfers, a housing pattern book, an accessibility working group, DERF pre-development loans, basic-shelter standards (with amendments), and DHHL financial-literacy programs. Several measures passed with clarifying amendments; vote tallies were recorded for some measures in the transcript.
A House committee advanced a package of housing-focused resolutions during a March 27 session, moving several measures out of committee and adopting targeted amendments on items that raised procedural or safety concerns.
Key outcomes
- HCR 38 / HR 36 (affordable-housing credits): Passed. The resolution declares the intent that affordable-housing credits created under Act 31 (2024) remain perpetual and valid until redeemed. Diana Saldivas of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development stood on written testimony in support; Evan Owyhee (Native Hawaiian) urged clearer language so lenders, investors and developers can rely on credits remaining valid until redemption. During the roll call vote the chair and vice chair voted yes; Representative Cochran voted no; Representatives Grandinetti, Keohokalole and Kitagawa voted yes; several members were excused. The committee recorded the measure as passed.
- HCR 85 / HR 77 (East Kapolei TOD parcels): Passed with amendments. The resolution urges DLNR to transfer specified East Kapolei parcels to HHFDC and asks HHFDC to partner with HCDA for non-housing community-development portions. DLNR and HCDA provided comments on parcel uses and revenue-sharing; DHHL asked to be included in coordination, citing an 11,500-person Oʻahu waiting list for homesteads. The committee added an HD1 and directed coordination with DHHL.
- HCR 98 / HR 90 (county-wide housing pattern book): Passed with amendment to change the Department of Land Management reference to the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). The resolution requests a housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals and reduce regulatory barriers.
- HCR 182 / HR 172 (accessibility working group): Passed. The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) supports the intent but said its Facility Access Unit reviews public construction plans and does not interface with private development; DCAB recommended documenting that concern in the committee report and identifying an appropriate convener for the working group.
- HCR 83 / HR 75 (use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for pre-development loans): Passed. HHFDC testified in support but cautioned about pre-development loan risk. Mr. Minakami said the DERF balance is roughly $15 million (anticipated infusion) and noted projects at pre-development are high-risk, where recourse for loans can be limited if land proves undevelopable.
- HCR 82 / HR 74 (basic-shelter standards): Passed with targeted amendments restricting the appendix for declared emergencies, defining temporary occupancy during proclamations, and directing a conversion pathway to Hawaii state building code or HUD code. The plumbers' union opposed parts of the resolution as written, arguing it could conflict with locally adopted codes.
- HCR 124 / HR 116 (DHHL financial literacy and homeownership preparedness): Passed. DHHL said it already provides educational programs and requested support/funding to scale efforts and assist beneficiaries with mortgage readiness.
What happens next
Measures passed with instructions for follow-up: the Building Code Council was directed to draft the basic-shelter appendix and a conversion pathway; other resolutions included requests for interagency coordination (for example, sending certified copies to DHHL) or drafting committee reports that record agency concerns. Several items passed with no dollar authorizations; agencies will pursue implementation details through rulemaking or interagency processes.
Quotes from the hearing
"The affordable housing credits created under Act 31 of 2024 remain perpetual and remain valid until they are redeemed," Evan Owyhee said in support of HCR 38, adding that clarity would help valuation and market stability.
On HCR 83 about pre-development funding, a committee member asked: "Do you know how much is in the DERF fund?" Mr. Minakami replied roughly "15 million dollars" with an anticipated infusion around that figure.
The committee adjourned after completing decision-making on all listed resolutions.
