HI SB3135

Transfers responsibility for historic preservation reviews under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 6E-42 from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to individual counties, effective January 2, 2023.

Requires counties to meet certification standards before assuming review authority, including adopting an ordinance, designating a qualified county preservation officer, hiring qualified professional staff, and establishing organizational controls to prevent conflicts of interest.

Maintains state department authority to review projects affecting properties listed on the Hawaii or National Register of Historic Places or located within designated historic districts.

Establishes a third-party reviewer certification program through the department to ensure consistency and quality of document reviews before submission to the department or county preservation officers.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues to counties for fiscal year 2022-2023 to support hiring and operations, with the department retaining up to 10 percent for administrative costs; act takes effect July 1, 2050.