Hawaii SCR8: 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.

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

THE SENATE S.C.R. NO. THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII JAN 2 8 2026 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TkND 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. WHEREAS, throughout the State, older adults, those aged sixty-two years of age or older, are currently facing monthslong delays in receiving approval for building permit applications for modifications to residences that are needed for safety and independent living; and WHEREAS, such modifications often include the installation of ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and other features that enable aging in place and reduce reliance on institutional care; and WHEREAS, prolonged delays in permit approvals significantly increase the risk of fall-related injuries, fatalities, and avoidable hospitalizations among older adults, placing additional strain on emergency medical services and health care systems; and WHEREAS, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries among seniors, with more than two hundred thirteen preventable, fall-related deaths estimated in 2023; and WHEREAS, timely approval of building permits for safety-related home modifications is critical to advancing public health goals, reducing health care costs, and supporting the State's …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Sharon Moriwaki (D, 12) · primary sponsor
• Stanley Chang (D, 9)
• Lynn DeCoite (D, 7)
• Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
• Angus McKelvey (D, 6)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26.
2. April 28, 2026: Resolution adopted in final form.
3. April 28, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 842).
4. April 27, 2026: Transmitted to Senate.
5. April 27, 2026: Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
6. April 27, 2026: Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2255-26), recommending adoption.
7. April 23, 2026: The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Ichiyama, Woodson.
8. April 20, 2026: Resolution scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 04-23-26 10:00AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
9. April 20, 2026: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).
10. April 20, 2026: Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2181-26), recommending referral to WAL.

Votes

• Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 27, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• WAL: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 23, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3) (April 20, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• HSH: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 16, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• HHS: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 30, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
• EIG: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 30, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SCR8?

SCR8 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): 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.

What is the status of SCR8?

Passed both chambers as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26. (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SCR8?

Sharon Moriwaki (D, 12), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SCR8?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=8&year=2026