SB 2066 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITTING AND INSPECTION.

Summary

Establishes a cooperative working group to address state projects that require county permitting and to explore, research, and make recommendations on streamlining processes. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2066 → SB2066_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally shifts from authorizing state projects to be exempt from county building permits to establishing a temporary cooperative working group designed to study and recommend ways to streamline those permitting processes. The new version removes the immediate exemption authority and replaces it with a mandate for a bipartisan group to investigate inefficiencies and propose solutions by 2027. Additionally, the bill now includes an appropriation to fund county staffing shortages related to state projects, though specific dollar amounts were left blank in the draft.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from granting immediate regulatory exemptions for state projects to creating a temporary advisory committee focused on process improvement and research.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the authority for the State to immediately exempt state projects from county building permit requirements if they meet specific code standards.

REQUIREMENT

Added the creation of a cooperative working group consisting of state legislators, agency heads, and county representatives to study permitting inefficiencies.

TIMELINE

Set a specific deadline for the working group to submit its final report and recommendations to the legislature by June 30, 2027.

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2050 to April 19, 2042.

FISCAL

Added an appropriation section to provide funds to counties for addressing staffing and personnel shortages in planning and permitting departments.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from EIG/GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2692) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Hashimoto, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Richards.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG/GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-19-26 3:15PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to EIG/GVO, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 2 co-sponsors