WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 7

URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 30 co-sponsors

Hawaii counties must process medically prescribed home modification permits for disabled and elderly residents within 45 days to improve safety and accessibility.

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 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.
#buildingpermitapplications #counties #expeditedprocessing #kupunacaucus #olderadults #personswithdisabilities #residencemodifications
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 7

Legislative bill overview

HR 7 urges Hawaii counties to process building permit applications for medically necessary home modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. These modifications—prescribed by licensed healthcare providers and deemed essential for safety or health—would include adaptations for older adults and people with disabilities, such as ramps, grab bars, or accessibility features.

Why is this important

Delays in permit processing can prevent elderly residents and people with disabilities from accessing critical home modifications that improve safety and independence. A 45-day timeline creates predictability for applicants and their families while addressing a genuine bottleneck in county permitting systems that can take months or longer.

Potential points of contention

  • County resource constraints: Some counties may lack staffing to consistently meet 45-day deadlines without additional funding or hiring
  • Definition clarity: "Essential to safety or health" could be interpreted broadly, potentially creating disputes over what qualifies for expedited review
  • Enforcement mechanism: The bill "urges" rather than mandates compliance, meaning counties can ignore the timeline without legal consequences
  • Competing priorities: Expedited processing for one category of permits may delay other applications or projects

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

Sign in to ask a question.