THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2909
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to permitting.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) task force was established pursuant to Act 133, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025. The SPEED task force brought together various state and county agencies and stakeholders to address issues related to obtaining permits for housing, infrastructure, and other projects. The legislature further finds that the SPEED task force is responsible for identifying actions taken, challenges encountered, and legislative measures needed to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes.
In its initial phase, the SPEED task force split into three permitted interaction groups, each focused on a specific, high-impact segment of the permitting system. The SPEED task force then submitted to the legislature a December 2025 final report of the permitted interaction groups, representing a combined report of the three permitted interaction groups, which outlined findings regarding existing actions and persistent challenges and presented initial recommendations for legislative and administrative measures to improve permitting processes statewide.
The legislature additionally finds that in the December 2025 final report, the SPEED task force identified issues related to understaffing and recruitment as a common impediment to the permitting process. County departments identified this issue as a major cause of permit backlog and poor plan quality. The SPEED task force recommended that the legislature invest in a long-term permitting workforce strategy to support the recruitment and retention of state and county employees that fill these key roles.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of business, economic development, and tourism to:
(1) Develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges; and
(2) Coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to the classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall, in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges, develop a permitting workforce pipeline to support the recruitment of new state and county permitting agency employees.
(b) The permitting workforce pipeline shall:
(1) Include tuition incentives for college students that enter state and county permitting agency jobs;
(2) Establish clear service commitments for students receiving tuition benefits; and
(3) Match students with state and county permitting agencies.
(c) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall coordinate with applicable state and county permitting agencies to:
(1) Develop classification levels for permit technicians and plan reviewers and ensure opportunities for career advancement;
(2) Develop salary and benefit scales that are comparable to the private sector;
(3) Develop emergency hiring processes to be used by agencies to fill immediate gaps;
(4) Ensure greater flexibility in hiring with respect to salary and minimum qualifications; and
(5) Ensure that trainee and junior reviewer employees can handle routine scopes under supervision.
(c) The department of business, economic development, and tourism may consult with the department of human resources development when developing the classification levels, salary and benefit scales, and hiring processes pursuant to subsection (b).
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of business, economic development, and tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Permitting; Permitting Workforce Pipeline; Hiring; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii; Community Colleges; Counties; Appropriation
Description:
Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds.
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