# Hawaii HB 971: RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Hawaii HB 971, RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) House bill sponsored by Adrian K. Tam (Democratic); status first reading, last action 2025-01-23 (Introduced and Pass First Reading.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB971-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 971
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
- Status: first reading
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-21
- Last action: 2025-01-23, Introduced and Pass First Reading.
- Sponsor: Adrian K. Tam (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Subjects: Governor, DAGS, Office of the State Architect, State Architect, State Construction Projects, Design Approvals, Design Review Special Fund, County Building Permit, Inspection, and Certificate of Occupancy Requirements, Exemptions, Report, Appropriations, LAB, HSG, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes the Office of the State Architect within the Department of Accounting and General Services to be headed by the State Architect. Authorizes the State Architect to organize, manage, and oversee the design review of all state construction projects and issue design approvals. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund. Requires the State Architect to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature. Authorizes DAGS to provide centralized design review services for state construction projects and issue design approvals through the State Architect. Exempts state construction projects from county building permit, inspection, and certificate of occupancy requirements, subject to certain conditions. Makes appropriations.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Adrian K. Tam (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Terez Amato (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Matthias Kusch (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Darius K. Kila (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Lisa Marten (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Amy A. Perruso (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kanani Souza (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Chris Todd (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2025-01-23: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2025-01-23: Referred to LAB, HSG, FIN, referral sheet 3 (House)
- 2025-01-21: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB971_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB971_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB971_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB971_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB971-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).