SB 1614 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Summary

Establishes what constitutes transit-oriented development and incentivizes development in county-designated transit-oriented development areas or zones. Prioritizes the allocation of a minimum percentage of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for certain mixed-income rental housing projects or units. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Feb 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1614 → SB1614_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a formal definition of transit-oriented development (TOD) and creates incentives for higher-density housing near public transit. It requires that development in designated TOD areas meet minimum density standards (floor area ratios of 4.0 to 7.0 depending on proximity to transit stations) and be processed through a streamlined ministerial permit system. The bill also modifies the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to prioritize funding for mixed-income rental projects in TOD areas, particularly those serving low-to-moderate income households.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by formally defining 'transit-oriented development' and 'transit-supportive density' for the first time, establishing specific density thresholds that vary based on proximity to transit stations (ranging from 4.0 to 7.0 floor area ratios).

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for 'transit-oriented development' (compact, dense, walkable neighborhoods centered around transit) and 'transit-supportive density' (minimum floor area ratios of 4.0, 6.0, or 7.0 depending on distance from transit stations).

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that development in county-designated TOD areas must meet minimum density standards to qualify for priority financing and ministerial permit processing.

Added requirement that permits for TOD development be processed as ministerial permits (streamlined, objective standards) rather than discretionary permits.

FISCAL

Modified the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to prioritize loans for mixed-income rental projects in TOD areas, with at least 51% of funds for such projects going to counties that have already invested in TOD infrastructure.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 2050, significantly later than typical legislative effective dates.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HOU/WTL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 588) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WTL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WTL were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Chang, McKelvey, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Aquino, Fevella.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU/WTL has scheduled a public hearing on 02-07-25 1:15PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HOU/WTL, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors