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FC-16 Page 3 August 5, 2025 <br />Committee Members expressed continued concern regarding HOA capacity, privacy, and legal liability <br />in providing the required data. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked if there was another <br />way to assist their constituents that would help address the roads situation and wouldn't add too much <br />burden onto the administration and RPT staff workload. Ms. Miura stated that the only possible solution <br />was to either lower the tax rate for homeowners or increase the exemption. Committee Member Heather <br />Kimball requested a list of subdivisions with HOAs and road maintenance fees at the next hearing. <br />Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder agreed. <br />Bill 38 was further amended with the contents of Communication 203.6, which was approved with eight <br />"ayes," with Acting Chair James Hustace voting in opposition. <br />Bill No. 38, as amended to Draft 2, was postponed to August 5, 2025. <br />Finance Committee Meeting of August 5, 2025 <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel Keyra Wong, Real Property Tax Administrator Lisa Miura, and Assistant <br />Administrator Keita Jo was present for questions. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder thanked everyone for their time and testifier Patti Pinto, <br />who expressed her support the bill that was very clear and well -articulated. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder <br />provided a summary of all previous discussions on Bill No. 3 8 and shared additional data received, <br />which was the list of subdivisions that Committee Member Heather Kimball requested at the last hearing. <br />Ms. Kimball appreciated the compiled data and asked if there were any current concerns about the <br />HOAs liability if they failed to report payment information. Ms. Wong noted that HOAs have no explicit <br />legal liability for reporting, and she is currently collaborating with the departments to clarify this. <br />Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada appreciated the creativity in advancing this bill, but expressed she <br />still had concerns about the cost to the County and RPT staff workload. Ms. Kagiwada questioned if <br />there was knowledge of any subdivisions that had mandatory road dues. Committee Member Dennis <br />"Fresh" Onishi shared his thoughts on an emergency access route and all the unkept roads in Puna. Mr. <br />Onishi also shared he was unsure about his support. Acting Chair James Hustace asked if there was any <br />HOA engagement and participation from the community. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder responded that the <br />program's usage is currently uncertain, but he hopes they will get involved. <br />Ms. Kagiwada proposed an amendment via Communication No. 203.9, that would decrease the credit <br />amount to a flat rate of $75 explaining it create a more straightforward process for RPT. <br />Mr. Jo and Ms. Miura both commented that it would not be less of a workload and said it would be more <br />concise, but not necessarily less. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed he didn't love the idea, but he <br />liked the streamlined efforts and was opposed to the $75 flat rate credit. Ms. Kimball stated that she was <br />examining this amendment from a perspective of fairness and would not support it as many of these <br />subdivisions contribute significantly to road maintenance. Ms. Kimball also mentioned that a flat fee of <br />$75 seems low, and if it drastically impacted RPTs workload she might have supported it. <br />FC Report No. 77 <br />