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REPORT OF THE POLICY <br /> COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, <br /> SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING <br /> DATE: December 19, 2023 Re: Comm. No. 639/Bill No. 110 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 3:47 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being, to which was referred Bill No. 110, reports <br /> as follows: <br /> Bill No. 110, transmitted by Ashley Kierkiewicz, Council Member for District 4, via Communication <br /> No. 639, amends Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended), by adding a <br /> new article relating to establishing a registry of information for the purpose of notifying property owners <br /> of vandalism, immediate hazards, or disasters. <br /> This bill requires owners of real property, or a designated agent of an absentee property owner, to <br /> provide to the County the property owner or designated agent's name, mailing address, telephone <br /> number, and email address to allow the County to distribute the contact information amongst County <br /> departments and agencies for the purpose of notifying the property owner or agent of potential or <br /> existing harmful impacts to the property due to vandalism, immediate hazards, emergencies or disasters. <br /> Member Kierkiewicz began by echoing the concerns that were brought up by testifiers regarding the <br /> difficulty in contacting absentee property owners when safety issues occur. She also noted letters of <br /> support for this legislation had been received from the Civil Defense, Fire, and Police Departments as <br /> well as the Mayor and Prosecutor's Offices. Real Property Tax Administrator Lisa Miura said that this <br /> issue has come up in the past when sending letters to those who lost their properties due to lava or fire, <br /> and that it is necessary to have another way to contact people rather than just by mail. She said that there <br /> will be a large amount of work involved in creating this database, and that their preference would be to <br /> create an online database to receive this information. <br /> Committee Member Heather Kimball recommended a more meaningful fine for those who fail to update <br /> or provide this information. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas agreed. Committee Members <br /> Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Cindy Evans said that they would not be in support of a higher fine. Ms. <br /> Miura added that creating multiple additional fines on property taxes will create additional work for <br /> their department. <br /> Member Kimball also recommended that the maker focus less on the definitions and instead provide <br /> more language in the context of the Code to make it more reader friendly. Committee Member Susan <br /> Lee Loy said that her understanding is that the definitions are there for Corporation Counsel and she <br /> appreciates them being included. <br /> PCHSW Report No. 9 <br />