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HB 562

Natural Resources, Department of; five-year moratorium on acceptance of applications for new or requests to modify existing permits; provisions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Debbie Buckner and 5 co-sponsors

Bill HB 562 streamlines school construction in Hawaii by exempting repetitive projects from county permits, speeding up development for the Department of Education and the University.

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HB 562

Summary of Bill HB 562: Relating to Permits

Purpose and Intent

Bill HB 562 aims to streamline the permitting process for certain construction projects related to educational facilities in Hawaii. The bill seeks to exempt specific repetitive construction projects from county permit requirements, thereby facilitating quicker and more efficient development of school facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority.

Key Provisions

  • Permit Exemptions: The bill proposes exemptions from county permit requirements for repetitive construction projects, particularly those associated with educational facilities.
  • Scope of Application: The exemptions would apply to projects managed by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority, as well as the University of Hawaiʻi.
  • Repetitive Construction Definition: The bill defines "repetitive construction" to include projects that are similar in nature and scale, allowing for a standardized approach to permitting.

Affected Parties

  • Department of Education: The bill directly impacts the Department of Education by allowing it to expedite the construction of school facilities.
  • School Facilities Authority: This authority will benefit from reduced bureaucratic hurdles in managing school construction projects.
  • University of Hawaiʻi: The university will also be able to take advantage of the permit exemptions for its construction projects.
  • Local Governments: County governments will see a reduction in the number of permit applications they process for these specific types of projects.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: January 17, 2025
  • First Reading: January 21, 2025
  • Referral to Committees: The bill has been referred to several committees, including Health, Land, and Transportation (HLT), Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPC), and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA).
  • Carried Over: The bill was carried over to the 2024 Regular Session on December 11, 2023, indicating that further discussions and potential amendments will occur in the upcoming session.

Related Bills

  • SB 1280: A companion bill that may address similar issues regarding permits and construction.
  • SB 1096: Another companion bill that could provide additional context or provisions related to the permitting process.

Conclusion

Bill HB 562 represents an effort to enhance the efficiency of constructing educational facilities in Hawaii by reducing the regulatory burden associated with county permits. If enacted, it could significantly expedite the development of school infrastructure, benefiting students and educational institutions across the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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