SCR 48 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL, BUILDING DEPARTMENTS OF EACH COUNTY, MAYORS OF EACH COUNTY, AND CHAIRS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEES ON HOUSING TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR ADOPTING UPDATED BUILDING CODES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 48) requests the Governor, State Building Code Council, county building departments, mayors, and housing committee chairs to develop a strategy for updating Hawaii's building codes. It addresses confusion caused by recent proclamations that suspended code updates and left contractors with unclear directives, potentially compromising public safety. The strategy must include stakeholder input and assess how to implement updated codes that align with national standards while addressing local needs. This procedural resolution does not change codes itself but aims to create clarity for safe, efficient construction across the state.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Apr 16, 2025

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What changed between versions

SCR48 → SCR48_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten from a request to the International Code Council to extend code update timelines into a directive for Hawaii state and local officials to develop a strategy for adopting updated building codes. The original version focused on external pressure to slow down code revisions, while the new version addresses internal state governance issues following recent natural disasters and administrative suspensions of the State Building Code Council.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from urging an external organization (International Code Council) to modify its processes, to directing internal state and county officials to create a comprehensive adoption strategy for Hawaii-specific building codes.

SCOPE

Removed all references to the International Code Council and requests to extend the timeframe between model code updates and adoption processes.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Office of the Governor, State Building Code Council, county building departments, mayors, and housing committee chairs to develop a comprehensive strategy for statewide adoption of updated building codes.

Changed the resolution's focus from general code revision concerns to specific issues of natural disaster resilience, compliance with national standards, and addressing local construction challenges.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific references to Governor Josh Green's 2023 Proclamation and its consequences regarding the suspension of the State Building Code Council and adoption of unamended International Code Council codes.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to HSG, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 493) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1549) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Fukunaga; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Wakai ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Rhoads, DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-25 3:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors