Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1721: Relating to Housing.
Status: Signed into law, June 26, 2026
Clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certain certificate of occupancy requirements for purposes of expedited permits.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to housing.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, to address the Stat&s ongoing housing shortage, Act 295, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025 (Act 295), established an expedited permitting process for single-family and multi--family residential projects. However, since its implementation, stakeholders have raised concerns that ambiguities in Act 295 regarding additional insurance requirements, indemnification obligations, and certification language may inadvertently create uninsurable conditions, discouraging architects and engineers from participating in the expedited permitting process. The legislature believes that clarifying these provisions will ensure that design professionals are not required to assume liabilities beyond what their professional liability insurance can cover, thereby improving participation and supporting the State's broader goal of accelerating housing production. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: 2026--3360 HB1721 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. (1) Clarify certain provisions under Act 295 relating to insurance, indemnification, and certain certificate of occupancy requirements for purposes of expedited permits; and (2) Require state or county inspectors to inspect all projects with expedited permits. SECTION 2. Section 46--90, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows: 1. By amending subsection (b) to read: "(b) An applicant or the applicant's agent may submit a request to the county for an expedited permit if sixty business days have lapsed after the application was considered complete by …
Sponsors
- Luke Evslin (D, 16) · primary sponsor
- Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
Latest actions
- : Act 177, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1279).
- : Act 177, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1279).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).
- : Deferred one day 05-06-26.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 16-26).
Votes
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 1, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (April 24, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 24, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- CPN: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 7, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Housing, Counties, Insurance
Common questions
- What is HB1721?
- HB1721 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Housing.
- What does HB1721 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to housing.
- What is the status of HB1721?
- Signed into law as of June 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 177, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1279). (June 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1721?
- Luke Evslin (D, 16), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB1721?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1721&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.