Industry backs longer, staggered building-code cycle; some members voice implementation concerns

Developers and building-industry representatives urged the committee to pass HB 17-25, which would move the state building-code adoption cycle from two years to six and allow counties to adopt targeted amendments. Tracy Tonaki of D.R. Horton told committees the current pace is unmanageable and that the bill would make statewide adoption more practical for industry and government reviewers.

"The current adoption cycle is unmanageable, and we believe this bill is well written and will make it manageable," Tonaki said. Gina Thielen, who develops affordable housing and serves on local code committees, told members, "Our code adoption process is broken from top to bottom, and the state of Hawaii can make a big step towards correcting that by passing HB 17 25." Members probed how staggering codes would work in practice and whether adding staff capacity would be needed; proponents said staggered adoption would focus review and training and reduce confusion between state and county requirements. The committee moved the bill forward with technical amendments and asked for continued stakeholder coordination.