HB 737 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Summary

Redefines "historic property" with respect to the State Historic Preservation Program. Deletes the requirement for an application for a proposed project on an existing privately-owned single-family detached dwelling unit to have a historic preservation review if the unit or townhouse is over fifty years old.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

HB737 → HB737_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the definition of 'historic property' to remove the automatic requirement for historic preservation reviews on single-family homes and townhouses simply because they are over fifty years old. Instead, these properties will only require a review if they are officially listed on a historic register, nominated for listing, or located within a designated historic district. This change narrows the scope of the law to apply only to properties with recognized historic status, reducing administrative burdens for older homes that lack such designation.

Scope change

The bill significantly narrows the scope of applicability by removing the age-based threshold (over 50 years) as a standalone trigger for historic preservation reviews, limiting the requirement to properties with specific official historic designations.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the eligibility criterion that any single-family detached dwelling or townhouse over fifty years old automatically requires a historic preservation review.

Added the requirement that single-family homes or townhouses must be listed on a historic register, nominated for listing, or located in a historic district to trigger a review.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'historic property' to clarify that age alone is insufficient without an official historic designation.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the procedural requirements for proposed projects on older homes to depend on official historic status rather than just the building's age.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 209) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL.

lower

Jan 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Grandinetti, Kila, La Chica, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Kitagawa.

lower

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to HSG, WAL, JHA, referral sheet 4

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

16 primary · 1 co-sponsor