HB 830 Summary

• Authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to contract historic preservation reviews to third-party consultants for residential and mixed-use development projects when the department cannot complete reviews within 60 days.

• Applies to both state projects under Hawaii Revised Statutes §6E-8 and non-state projects under §6E-42, excluding projects triggering Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

• Requires third-party consultants to meet educational and experience standards adopted by SHPD, follow state ethics rules, and not review projects they previously worked on; consultants must provide recommendations within 30 days of retention.

• Project proponents must pay reasonable fees for third-party consultant services, though they may contract with counties, housing authorities, non-profit organizations, or other entities to cover costs.

• Takes effect July 1, 2025; substantive provisions effective July 1, 2026; sunsets June 30, 2030, with SHPD required to publish draft rules within one year and present final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources within two years.