Bill Text: HI SB740 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To The Department Of Housing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB740 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB740-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	740
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to the department of housing.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there are multiple state agencies responsible for housing.  Having so many separate agencies creates redundancies and bureaucracies that hinder the work of solving Hawaii's housing crisis.  The purpose of this Act is to consolidate the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation, Hawaii community development authority, Hawaii public housing authority, and office of planning into a new department of housing.

PART II

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§26-    Department of housing.  (a)  The department of housing shall be headed by a single executive to be known as the director of housing.

     (b)  The department of housing shall:

     (1)  Be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing the provisions of section 226-19;

     (2)  Strengthen and revitalize communities by promoting affordable housing opportunities;

     (3)  Work in concert with municipal leaders, public agencies, community groups, local housing authorities, and other housing developers in the planning and development of affordable homeownership and rental housing units;

     (4)  Provide leadership for all aspects of policy and planning relating to the development, redevelopment, preservation, maintenance, and improvement of housing serving all levels of income for individuals and families; and

     (5)  Oversee compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and financial assistance agreements for funded activities through long-term program compliance monitoring.

     (c)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 as may be necessary or desirable to fulfill its mission.

     (d)  The following are placed in the department of housing for administrative purposes as defined by section 26-35:  Hawaii community development authority, Hawaii housing finance and development corporation, the office of planning, Hawaii public housing authority, and any other agencies, boards, and commissions as shall be provided by law."

     SECTION 3.  Section 26-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§26-4  Structure of government.  Under the supervision of the governor, all executive and administrative offices, departments, and instrumentalities of the state government and their respective functions, powers, and duties shall be allocated among and within the following principal departments that are hereby established:

     (1)  Department of human resources development (Section 26‑5)

     (2)  Department of accounting and general services (Section 26-6)

     (3)  Department of the attorney general (Section 26-7)

     (4)  Department of budget and finance (Section 26-8)

     (5)  Department of commerce and consumer affairs (Section 26-9)

     (6)  Department of taxation (Section 26-10)

     (7)  University of Hawaii (Section 26-11)

     (8)  Department of education (Section 26-12)

     (9)  Department of health (Section 26-13)

    (10)  Department of human services (Section 26-14)

    (11)  Department of land and natural resources (Section 26‑15)

    (12)  Department of agriculture (Section 26-16)

    (13)  Department of Hawaiian home lands (Section 26-17)

    (14)  Department of business, economic development, and tourism (Section 26-18)

    (15)  Department of transportation (Section 26-19)

    (16)  Department of labor and industrial relations (Section 26-20)

    (17)  Department of defense (Section 26-21)

    (18)  Department of public safety (Section 26-14.6)[.]

    (19)  Department of Housing (Section 26-  )."

     SECTION 4.  Section 26-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

     "(d)  The [Hawaii public housing authority and the] Hawaii state commission on the status of women [are] is placed within the department of human services for administrative purposes only."

     SECTION 5.  Section 26-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The following are placed in the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes as defined by section 26-35: [Hawaii community development authority, Hawaii housing finance and development corporation] Hawaii technology development corporation, land use commission, natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority, and any other boards and commissions as shall be provided by law."

     SECTION 6.  Section 201H-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to be placed within the department of [business, economic development, and tourism] housing for administrative purposes only.  The corporation shall be a public body and a body corporate and politic."

     SECTION 7.  Section 201H-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is created a board of directors of the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation consisting of nine members, of whom six shall be public members appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34.  At least four of the public members shall have knowledge and expertise in public or private financing and development of affordable housing.  Public members shall be appointed from each of the counties of Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.  At least one public member shall represent community advocates for low-income housing, affiliated with private nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of low-income housing.  The public members of the board shall serve four-year staggered terms; provided that the initial appointments shall be as follows:

     (1)  Two members to be appointed for four years;

     (2)  Two members to be appointed for three years; and

     (3)  Two members to be appointed for two years.

The director of [business, economic development, and tourism] housing and the director of finance, or their designated representatives, and a representative of the governor's office, shall be ex officio[[],[]] voting members.  The corporation shall be headed by the board.

     (b)  The board of directors shall select a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members; provided that the chairperson shall be a public member.  The director of [business, economic development, and tourism,] housing, director of finance, and the governor's representative shall be ineligible to serve as chairperson of the board."

     SECTION 8.  Section 206E-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established the Hawaii community development authority, which shall be a body corporate and a public instrumentality of the State, for the purpose of implementing this chapter.  The authority shall be placed within the department of [business, economic development, and tourism] housing for administrative purposes."

     SECTION 9.  Section 225M-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§225M-1  Purpose.  The purpose of this chapter is to establish an office of planning to assist the governor, the director of housing, and the director of business, economic development, and tourism in maintaining an overall framework to guide the development of the State through a continuous process of comprehensive, long-range, and strategic planning to meet the physical, economic, and social needs of Hawaii's people, and provide for the wise use of Hawaii's resources in a coordinated, efficient, and economical manner, including the conservation of those natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, historic, and other limited and irreplaceable resources which are required for future generations.

     The establishment of an office of planning in the department of [business, economic development, and tourism,] housing, for administrative purposes, is intended to:

     (1)  Fix responsibility and accountability to successfully carry out statewide planning programs, policies, and priorities;

     (2)  Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the executive branch; and

     (3)  Ensure comprehensive planning and coordination to enhance the quality of life of the people of Hawaii."

     SECTION 10.  Section 225M-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department of [business, economic development, and tourism] housing an office of planning.  The head of the office shall be known as the director of the office of planning, referred to in this chapter as director.  The director shall have:  training in the field of urban or regional planning, public administration, or other related fields; experience in programs or services related to governmental planning; and experience in a supervisory, consultative, or administrative capacity.  The director shall be nominated by the governor and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed by the governor without regard to chapter 76, and shall be compensated at a salary level set by the governor.  The director shall be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State.  The director shall retain such staff as may be necessary for the purposes of this chapter, in conformity with chapter 76.  The director shall report to the director of [business, economic development, and tourism] housing and shall not be required to report directly to any other principal executive department."

     SECTION 11.  Section 225M-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Every state department, county agency, or other public or private agency or individual providing planning programs and services shall be encouraged to participate actively in the activities of the office of planning.  The executive heads of all state departments and agencies shall cooperate with the office of planning by providing information as the governor and the director of [business, economic development, and tourism] housing deem necessary for the effective discharge of its duties."

     SECTION 12.  Section 225M-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§225M-4  Allocation of funds.  Any of the agencies of the State to which general or special appropriations are made, or a part of whose budget contains an allocation, or which makes an allocation of funds for planning and research, shall consult with the office of planning to ensure that all expenditures are in accordance with, or in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the Hawaii state plan.  After first consulting with the director of [business, economic development, and tourism,] housing, the governor may withhold the expenditure of these funds by any agency until the governor is satisfied that the expenditures will implement those goals and objectives."

     SECTION 13.  Section 356D-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established the Hawaii public housing authority to be placed within the department of [human services] housing for administrative purposes only.  The authority shall be a public body and a body corporate and politic."

PART III

     SECTION 14.  In addition to the amendments made by part II of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute "department of housing" for every reference to the "department of business, economic development, and tourism" and "department of human services" as appropriate to reflect the transfer of the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation, Hawaii community development corporation, office of planning, and Hawaii public housing authority to the department of housing.

     SECTION 15.  (a)  All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the:

     (1)  Department of business, economic development, and tourism as they pertain to the:

          (A)  Hawaii housing finance and development corporation pursuant to chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

          (B)  Hawaii community development corporation pursuant to chapter 206E, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

          (C)  Office of planning pursuant to chapter 225M, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (2)  Department of human services as they pertain to the Hawaii public housing authority pursuant to chapter 356D, Hawaii Revised Statutes,

are transferred to the department of housing.

     (b)  All employees who occupy civil service positions and whose functions are transferred to the department of housing by this Act shall retain their civil service status, whether permanent or temporary.  Employees shall be transferred without loss of salary, seniority (except as prescribed by applicable collective bargaining agreements), retention points, prior service credit, any vacation and sick leave credits previously earned, and other rights, benefits, and privileges, in accordance with state personnel laws and this Act; provided that the employees possess the minimum qualifications and public employment requirements for the class or position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable civil service and compensation laws.

     Any employee who, prior to this Act, is exempt from civil service and is transferred as a consequence of this Act may retain the employee's exempt status, but shall not be appointed to a civil service position as a consequence of this Act.  An exempt employee who is transferred by this Act shall not suffer any loss of prior service credit, vacation or sick leave credits previously earned, or other employee benefits or privileges as a consequence of this Act; provided that the employees possess legal and public employment requirements for the position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable employment and compensation laws.  The director of housing may prescribe the duties and qualifications of these employees and fix their salaries without regard to chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (c)  All rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and other material adopted or developed by the transferred agencies to implement provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that are reenacted or made applicable to the department of housing by this Act shall remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the department of housing pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  In the interim, every reference to the department of business, economic development, and tourism and department of human services as they pertain to the transferred agencies in those rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and other material is amended to refer to the department of housing, as appropriate.

     (d)  All deeds, leases, contracts, loans, agreements, permits, or other documents executed or entered into by or on behalf of the department of business, economic development and tourism and the department of human services as they pertain to the transferred agencies, pursuant to the provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that are reenacted or made applicable to the department of housing by this Act shall remain in full force and effect.  Effective July 1, 2021, every reference to the department of business, economic development and tourism and the department of human services as they pertain to the transferred agencies in those deeds, leases, contracts, loans, agreements, permits, or other documents shall be construed as a reference to the department of housing.

     (e)  All appropriations, records, equipment, machines, files, supplies, contracts, books, papers, documents, maps, and other personal property heretofore made, used, acquired, or held by the department of business, economic development and tourism and the department of human services as they pertain to the transferred agencies relating to the functions transferred to the department of housing shall be transferred with the functions to which they relate.

     SECTION 16.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 17.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 18.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Hawaii Community Development Authority; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Office of Planning; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Department of Housing

 

Description:

Creates the department of housing.  Places the Hawaii community development authority, Hawaii housing finance and development corporation, the office of planning, and Hawaii public housing authority under the department of housing for administrative purposes.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.