HI HB873

Establishes the "Sustainable Living Research Act" creating a permit system for sustainable living research sites that allows exemptions from certain county codes, ordinances, and rules for approved projects.

Permits sustainable living research sites must be located in counties with populations under 500,000, limited to 15 acres or less, with 30-foot setbacks from adjacent properties, and must be in agricultural or rural districts.

Requires applicants to submit detailed research descriptions, site plans, and assessments of non-practicable county codes; county planning departments must issue decisions within 90 days, with appeals available to planning commissions.

Permits are valid for 10 years or until research completion; permittees must submit annual reports on research activities and findings, which are made public; county officials may conduct inspections with reasonable notice.

Allows exemptions from water rights permits and environmental assessment requirements are prohibited; planning commissions may revoke permits if permittees substantially violate permit conditions or applicable rules after a 30-day cure period.