HI HB2040

Establishes the building permit expeditionary improvement force within the office of the governor to assess and eliminate bottlenecks in county building permit approval processes.

Task force composition includes directors from each county planning department, executive director of Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Hawaii Building Construction and Trades Council, and presidents of Building Industry Association of Hawaii and General Contractors Association of Hawaii, plus up to nine additional members appointed by the chair.

Requires task force to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to expedite permits and improve county permitting efficiency, with authority to recommend temporary suspension of county regulations subject to county mayor approval.

Task force must submit interim report to legislature no later than twenty days before the 2025 regular session and final report no later than twenty days before the 2026 regular session.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support task force operations, with amount to be determined, exceeding the state general fund expenditure ceiling as justified by public interest.