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SCR 48

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL, BUILDING DEPARTMENTS OF EACH COUNTY, MAYORS OF EACH COUNTY, AND CHAIRS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEES ON HOUSING TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR ADOPTING UPDATED BUILDING CODES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Troy Hashimoto

Hawaii resolution requests coordinated statewide strategy for adopting updated building codes across state agencies and counties to improve safety and consistency.

The committee(s) on HSG recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
#buildingcodes #compliance #contractors #countybuildingdepartments #housingcommittee #mayors #officeofthegovernor #statebuildingcodecouncil
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Bill Summary · SCR 48

Legislative bill overview

SCR 48 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Governor, State Building Code Council, county building departments, county mayors, and legislative housing committees to jointly develop a comprehensive strategy for adopting updated building codes. The resolution does not create law but formally urges these entities to collaborate on modernizing the state's building code standards.

Why is this important

Building codes directly affect construction safety, energy efficiency, housing affordability, and disaster resilience. Outdated codes can slow development, increase costs, and leave structures vulnerable to modern hazards. A coordinated statewide strategy could streamline adoption across Hawaii's counties, which currently operate with varying standards, potentially reducing bureaucratic delays and creating more consistent safety benchmarks.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on counties: Updating building codes requires staff training, infrastructure upgrades, and enforcement resources that smaller counties may struggle to fund
  • Construction industry impact: Stricter codes typically increase building costs, which developers may pass to consumers, potentially worsening housing affordability in an already expensive state
  • Timeline and enforcement gaps: Without binding deadlines or penalties, counties may deprioritize code adoption; the resolution's non-binding nature means compliance is voluntary and could face implementation delays

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

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