HI HB2515

Establishes a voluntary Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow temporary waivers of permitting and zoning requirements for eligible workforce housing projects targeting households earning 60-140% of area median income.

Creates an advisory council chaired by the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development director, including state agency officials, county planning directors, and four invited members with expertise in sustainability, Native Hawaiian practices, private housing development, and nonprofit housing.

Regulatory waivers are project-specific and expire upon certificate of occupancy, 10 years from approval, or program termination—whichever comes first—and do not set permanent precedent for regulatory changes.

Requires participating developers to maintain affordability through deed restrictions, prohibit short-term rentals, and ensure full-time occupancy by resident households during the affordability period.

Appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 including one full-time position, with annual legislative reports required starting before the 2028 session; program repeals June 30, 2031.