Task force aims at permitting reform
3 minute readPublished: Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 10:05 am
Task Force Tackles Permitting Reform to Spur Economic Development
A task force, spearheaded by the House of Representatives, is working to streamline permitting processes across the state, aiming to boost economic development. The initiative involves three committees, each with a December deadline to formulate recommendations before the upcoming legislative session in January. These committees are addressing complex issues including permitting, cesspool conversions, and historic preservation regulations.
The task force is utilizing "Permitted Interactive Groups" (PIGs), which allow for private, in-depth discussions among diverse stakeholders. These groups include representatives from state and county governments, private developers, and environmental and historic preservation interests. The goal is to foster consensus and develop short-, medium-, and long-term solutions.
One of the committees, the Building Permit PIG, is chaired by state Rep. Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy. The committee is focused on simplifying the permitting process for both residential and commercial projects. Another committee, led by Rep. Mike Lee, is tackling the elimination of cesspools by 2050, exploring potential administrative rule changes and new laws. The Historic Preservation PIG, chaired by Rep. Tyson Miyake, is examining delays in the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) review process, which often impacts building projects.
The committees are identifying bottlenecks in the current system, such as staffing shortages in county planning departments and delays in SHPD reviews. The task force is also considering solutions like preapproved designs for cesspool replacements and the use of third-party contractors for SHPD reviews. The task force aims to make the permitting process easier for the community and to make it easier to do business.
BNN's Perspective:
The collaborative approach of this task force, bringing together diverse stakeholders in private discussions, is a promising step towards addressing long-standing challenges in permitting. While the December deadline is ambitious, the focus on consensus-building and identifying specific bottlenecks suggests a genuine effort to improve efficiency and support economic growth. The success of this initiative will depend on the ability of these groups to translate their discussions into actionable recommendations that can be implemented effectively.
Keywords: Permitting reform, economic development, task force, House of Representatives, cesspool conversions, historic preservation, PIGs, building permits, administrative rules, SHPD, legislative session, developers, environmental groups, county governments, state government.