SB 2981 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO LAND USE.

This bill prohibits counties from requiring minimum parking spaces for certain developments starting July 1, 2027. The law applies to local governments that currently enforce parking mandates for new construction projects. The restriction remains in effect until July 1, 3000, giving it a very long-term duration. The measure aims to give developers more flexibility in designing parking solutions without being forced to meet specific minimum requirements.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2981 → SB2981_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to broaden the scope of parking exemptions beyond just urban districts to include specific affordable housing, small residences, senior housing, and transit-oriented developments. The title was updated to reflect this broader 'Parking Reform and Modernization Act,' and the effective date for the main provisions was set to July 1, 3000, while the implementation deadline for counties remains July 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's applicability expanded from a blanket ban on parking requirements in all urban districts to a targeted prohibition for specific development types, including affordable housing, existing buildings changing use, residences under 1,200 square feet, senior housing, housing for persons with disabilities, commercial spaces in mixed-use projects, and projects within transit-oriented development areas.

SCOPE

Expanded the list of developments exempt from minimum parking mandates to include affordable housing, small residences, senior housing, and transit-oriented developments, rather than applying only to all urban districts.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'affordable housing' as units affordable to households earning at or below 140% of the area median family income.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the main prohibition to July 1, 3000, while keeping the July 1, 2027 deadline for counties to update their local laws.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection clarifying that the bill does not exempt the requirement to provide accessible parking stalls for persons with disabilities as mandated by federal law.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1313-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Grandinetti, Kila, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Cochran; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSG, WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 332).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Elefante, Fukunaga, Ihara, Lamosao, McKelvey. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-04-26 9:40AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA/EIG/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2594) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EIG were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Chang, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Lamosao ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HOU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Elefante, Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA/EIG/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-17-26 3:02PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA/EIG/HOU, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors