HI HB2444

Conditions the authority of counties with populations greater than 500,000 to exercise state housing powers on their continued compliance with infrastructure dedication requirements for affordable housing developments.

Requires counties to accept dedication of public infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage, roads, and street lighting) constructed for affordable housing developments within 60 days of receiving a completed dedication request, or the infrastructure is automatically deemed dedicated.

Amends infrastructure dedication standards to allow approval by either the county or a third-party reviewer with appropriate licenses and expertise, rather than requiring county approval only.

Addresses the Villages of Kapolei situation where the City and County of Honolulu has collected property taxes for 30 years but not accepted infrastructure dedications, costing the State approximately $1,000,000 annually in maintenance through the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Takes effect upon approval, with amendments to Hawaii Revised Statutes section 46-15.1 to be preserved when that statute is reenacted on July 1, 2024.