REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CREATING AN OFFICE OF THE STATE ARCHITECT.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Accounting and General Services in Hawaii to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect to oversee state construction projects. The proposed office would be led by a licensed State Architect responsible for reviewing all design plans, ensuring compliance with building codes, and assigning inspectors to construction sites. The study must analyze staffing needs, potential fees for design review services, and whether to require design approvals for traditional projects while exempting design-build and public-private partnership projects. If the study finds the office beneficial, the resolution asks the department to submit findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.