HB 1149 Summary

• Renames the "office of planning" to the "office of planning and sustainable development" within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes.

• Integrates the land use commission as part of the office of planning and sustainable development while maintaining the commission's independence through separate reporting structures and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

• Removes the land use commission from direct placement in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and consolidates land use functions under the reorganized office.

• Expands the office's responsibilities to include climate adaptation and sustainability planning, smart growth and transit-oriented development coordination, and coastal and ocean policy management.

• Takes effect on July 1, 2021, and requires substitution of "office of planning and sustainable development" terminology throughout Hawaii Revised Statutes to reflect the restructuring.