Government Relations
BIA Hawaii actively advocates for policies that support safe, affordable housing and a strong local building industry.
Our Government Relations Committee (GRC) serves as the driving force behind BIA’s advocacy efforts, meeting regularly with state and county leaders, legislators, building officials, and key decision-makers.
Your voice matters.
When legislation affecting our industry is introduced, we notify members and request written testimony. Every submission helps strengthen our collective impact at the State Capitol.
Get Involved
Learn more about our legislative priorities or join the GRC by contacting our Government Affairs Lobbyist, Stefanie Sakamoto, at stef@sakamotoconsulting.com.
2025 Session Summary
BIA's GRC had a very busy legislative session. There were 3,172 bills introduced during the session; of those, BIA's GRC tracked 122 bills & resolutions, six were high priority, as indicated below. BIA submitted multiple testimonies supporting and opposing the various measures.
We are pleased to announce that our advocacy efforts have resulted in the following major wins for our industry.
Wins
HB 420 – Relating to Remedies
Clarifies the applicability of the statute of repose for actions summoned by construction defects, clarifies the required criteria for a notice of claim of construction defect served on a contractor, revises the process and time frame for a claimant to accept a contractor’s offer, and limits the amount a claimant can recover if the claimant rejects a reasonable proposal for inspection or offer to remedy. This bill ensures a fair pre-litigation resolution process, enabling contractors to address alleged defects before homeowners file lawsuits.
- BIA Position: Support
- Status: Bill passed
SB 66 – Relating to Housing
Requires counties to grant building permits within 60 days given that the application meets specific criteria and is both stamped and certified by a licensed engineer and architect. This bill tackles delays in permit processing, which would improve the predictability, certainty, and affordability of housing development.
- BIA Position: Support
- Status: Bill passed
SB 1263 – Relating to Historic Preservation
Proposes a process that accelerates the review of residential transit-oriented development on specific parcels within low-risk county-designated zones by enforcing a 90-day limit to concur or not concur. This bill would ensure efficiency in the approval process with its 90-day limit, while also maintaining a balance between residential development and preserving delicate historical and environmental areas.
- BIA Position: Support
- Status: Bill passed
HB 415 – Relating to Public Safety
Aims to repeal section 46-19.8, which would enable counties to authorize the proper requirements for fire sprinkler systems, and installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in all new one and two-family residences. This would significantly increase the cost of housing and minimize the ability for owners to choose their own fire safety options.
- BIA Position: Oppose
- Status: Bill failed
Loses
SB 120 – Relating to Building Codes
Revises the responsibilities of the State Building Code Council (SBCC) by removing the State code from the process of adopting building codes. This modification would make the SBCC a research and advisory body, leading to a more efficient system.
- BIA Position: Support
- Status: Bill failed
SB 48 – Relating to the State Building Code Council
Enforces the State Building Code Council to evaluate the financial impact of adopted codes or standards on single and multiple-family homes by modifying annual report requirements to include assessment of costs and benefits for residents. This would ensure that crucial information on the economic realities of homeowners and renters are involved in the adoption of new codes.
- BIA Position: Support
- Status: Bill failed
We trust this comprehensive list of wins and losses is beneficial to your understanding of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure our industry prospers.
Congratulations to the BIA Government Relations Committee for a successful session!