Hawaii HCR98: Requesting the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu to Develop a Countywide Housing Pattern Book to Streamline Permit Approvals and Reduce Regulatory Barriers for Safe, Affordable, and Well-designed Homes.

What the bill says

From the engrossed text:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. KOI THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 o.U. I STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES. WHEREAS, the State faces a severe housing shortage that has made homeownership and stable housing increasingly out of reach for many residents; and WHEREAS, increasing the supply of safe, affordable, and community-compatible housing remains a statewide priority, but production is often slowed by complex permitting processes, inconsistent design standards, and regulatory barriers that add cost and delay; and II WHEREAS, thoughtfully designed housing contributes to dignity, stability, and well-being, and the quality of the built environment, including attractive homes and walkable neighborhoods, can positively affect physical and mental health and support thriving communities; and WHEREAS, Hawaii has a rich tradition of climate-responsive architecture, including lanais, natural cross-ventilation, shading, and indoor-outdoor living elements that are well suited to local conditions and culture; and WHEREAS, a housing pattern book containing pre-reviewed residential designs that comply with applicable codes can reduce design costs, expedite permitting, and accelerate housing production while maintaining safety, affordability, resilience, and architectural quality; and WHEREAS, similar programs in places such as New South Wales, Australia, and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Tina Grandinetti (D, 20) · primary sponsor
• Terez Amato (D, 11)
• Elle Cochran (D, 14)
• Andrew Garrett (D, 22)
• Gedeon, Joe (R, 18)
• Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
• Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Scot Matayoshi (D, 49)
• Tyson Miyake (D, 10)

Latest actions

1. May 8, 2026: Received notice of Adoption in House (Hse. Com. No. 891).
2. May 8, 2026: Resolution adopted in final form.
3. May 8, 2026: Adopted as amended in SD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hussey, Kong, Quinlan excused (3).
4. May 8, 2026: House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
5. May 6, 2026: One (1) day notice, Friday, 05-08-26.
6. April 24, 2026: Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 749) in amended form (SD 1).
7. April 24, 2026: Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
8. April 23, 2026: One Day Notice 04-24-26.
9. April 23, 2026: Reported from EIG/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3896) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
10. April 16, 2026: The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Richards, Fevella.

Votes

• Adopted as amended in SD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hussey, Kong, Quinlan excused (3) (May 8, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• HOU: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 16, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• EIG: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 16, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1) (April 9, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• WAL: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on WAL as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 1, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HCR98?

HCR98 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the Department of Housing and Land Management of the City and County of Honolulu to Develop a Countywide Housing Pattern Book to Streamline Permit Approvals and Reduce Regulatory Barriers for Safe, Affordable, and Well-designed Homes.

What is the status of HCR98?

Passed both chambers as of May 8, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of Adoption in House (Hse. Com. No. 891). (May 8, 2026).

Who sponsored HCR98?

Tina Grandinetti (D, 20), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HCR98?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=98&year=2026