HI HR164

Requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council, with findings due 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session.

The Council has been effectively inactive since September 15, 2023, when the Governor's emergency proclamation on affordable housing suspended certain provisions related to the Council.

The audit should evaluate whether the three-year code adoption cycle is too frequent, assess the Council's impact on regulatory consistency among counties, and examine effects on construction costs and housing production.

The audit should analyze whether counties could serve as primary drivers and funders of building code adoption instead of the state, and consider alternative governance structures including possible restructuring or repeal of the Council.

The State Auditor is requested to consult with county planning departments, the Governor's Housing Team, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and construction industry stakeholders.