Council committee amends, advances Bill 39 on fire-resistant construction for affordable rental housing

The Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks on Sept. 24, 2025, voted to amend Bill 39 (2025) to a posted CD1 and recommended it be reported out for adoption. The bill would amend Chapter 32 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (2021) to add fire-resistance construction requirements for affordable rental housing projects.

Deputy Director Brian Gallagher of the Department of Planning and Permitting told the committee the department had no comments on the proposed CD1. Council Member Weier, who identified the posted language and amendments, thanked stakeholders and said she was hopeful the change would support urban infill and affordable housing work.

Clerks recorded one remote registered testifier, Gina Thielen, who testified in support and referenced written testimony. The committee chair called for objections to the posted CD1; hearing none, the chair recommended that Bill 39 CD1 be reported out for adoption.

The committee took no further substantive amendments at the meeting. A copy of the posted CD1 was referenced as OCS2025-0694 and a summary of amendments was posted on the Office of Council Services website.