HCR 79 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE PLANNING OR PLANNING AND PERMITTING DEPARTMENT OF EACH COUNTY TO ESTABLISH KUPUNA-FRIENDLY BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING ACCESSIBILITY AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES OPERATING HOURS.

This bill requests that each county's planning department create building permit requirements to make parking and business hours more accessible for older adults, known as kupuna. It would require private businesses and shopping malls to set aside special hours when kupuna can enter more easily and increase the number of designated parking spaces for both disabled and non-disabled older adults. The resolution is a non-binding request to county officials rather than a law that mandates immediate changes, so it does not directly affect businesses or residents on its own. Its purpose is to encourage local governments to consider the needs of Hawaii's aging population when updating building codes and parking standards.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action Apr 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HCR79 HCR79_HD1 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to broaden its applicability by including 'planning and permitting' departments alongside 'planning' departments, ensuring the new kupuna-friendly parking and business hour requirements apply to all relevant county offices. The resolution was also updated to specify the exact Planning Directors for each county and the Department of Planning and Permitting in Honolulu, clarifying exactly who must receive copies of the resolution. These changes ensure the request for updated building permit requirements is directed at the correct administrative bodies across the state.
Scope change
Expanded the scope of the request to include both 'planning' and 'planning and permitting' departments, ensuring the policy applies to all relevant county offices rather than just those labeled 'planning'.
REQUIREMENT

Changed the target department from 'planning department' to 'planning or planning and permitting department' to ensure the request covers all relevant administrative bodies.

Added specific names for the Planning Directors of Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties, and the Director of the Department of Planning and Permitting in Honolulu to the list of recipients for the resolution.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and metadata to reflect House District 1 (HD1) and revised template identifiers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on WAL as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Committee
Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1715-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to WAL.
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Amato, Hartsfield.
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to HSH, WAL, referral sheet 18
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Offered
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
To be offered.
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors