H.B. 1840 Summary

• Authorizes county land use decision-making authorities to determine district boundary amendments for land areas greater than 15 acres but not exceeding 50 acres, subject to land use commission review and approval.

• Requires counties to adopt ordinances establishing procedures that consider impacts on state and county infrastructure, housing opportunities, consistency with general plans, and enforcement of applicant representations before amendments may be approved.

• Mandates land use commission review be limited to specific issues including due process, environmental impact assessment, cultural resources protection, Public Trust Doctrine compliance, and consistency with the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan.

• Prohibits parceling of lands to circumvent the 50-acre threshold; if parceled lands are proposed for reclassification, the petition must be processed as lands greater than 50 acres under existing law.

• Requires 60 percent of housing created through boundary amendments to be affordable housing reserved for households earning no more than 80 percent of area median income.