Luke Evslin represents District 16 in the Hawaii House of Representatives and took office on February 21, 2023; he is running for re-election in 2026.[1]
He lives in Lihu'e, graduated from Kaua'i High School in 2003, earned a B.A. in history from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in 2007 and an M.P.A. from the University of Southern California in 2020.[1]His career includes co-founding Kamanu Composites, teaching American government and Hawaiian history at Island School, and writing as a columnist for the Honolulu Civil Beat.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
PART I: Redesignates the Stadium Development District as the Halawa Community Development District (HCDD). Amends the composition of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) for purposes of the HCDD. Amends the duties and powers of the HCDA and Stadium Authority as they relate to activities within the HCDD. Clarifies the HCDA's permitting and consultation powers regarding public projects within community development districts. Establishes the HCDD Special Fund.
Exempts Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation employees from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HHFDC to be paid a salary recommended by its Board of Directors and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor.
Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (CD1)
Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, instead of the counties, to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Sunsets 7/1/2031. (CD1)
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SB 2338 · HI HOUSE
RELATING TO HOUSING.
YesVOTED
Motion: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.
A yes vote approved the conference version of SB 2338, which caps the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation executive director's board-recommended salary at 99% of the Governor's and lets the board set the finance manager's salary. (AI-written)
Exempts Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation employees from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HHFDC to be paid a salary recommended by its Board of Directors and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor.
Motion: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.
A yes vote approved the conference committee's compromise version of SB 2544, which sets $20,000,000 as the annual cap on Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund money usable for the Hawaii Builds Pilot Program and takes effect on approval. (AI-written)
Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (CD1)
Motion: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.
A yes vote approved the conference committee's compromise version of HB 2385, which takes effect on approval and sets January 1, 2027 as when the housing corporation may approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing projects. (AI-written)
Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, instead of the counties, to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Sunsets 7/1/2031. (CD1)
RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
YesVOTED
Motion: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.
A yes vote approved the conference version of HB 1740, which lets a qualified resident hold a majority interest in one other dwelling property if disposed of within two years, and raises minimum owner-occupancy from one to five years. (AI-written)
Repeals the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and repeals the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Limits a qualified resident from owning a majority interest in no more than one property suitable for dwelling purposes, but requiring the disposal of such property within two years.
Motion: The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.
A yes vote recommended passing SB 2599 with amendments clarifying the development guidelines for public parking hubs that the Hawaii Community Development Authority uses when planning housing, plus technical edits. (AI-written)
PART I: Redesignates the Stadium Development District as the Halawa Community Development District (HCDD). Amends the composition of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) for purposes of the HCDD. Amends the duties and powers of the HCDA and Stadium Authority as they relate to activities within the HCDD. Clarifies the HCDA's permitting and consultation powers regarding public projects within community development districts. Establishes the HCDD Special Fund.
Motion: The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.
A yes vote recommended passing SB 2338 with amendments exempting all housing corporation employees from civil service, renaming 'Finance Director' to 'Finance Manager', and lengthening maximum employment contract terms from two to three years. (AI-written)
Exempts Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation employees from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HHFDC to be paid a salary recommended by its Board of Directors and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor.