2024-04-15 Bill 121 Britt Palmars

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SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO IS LESS THAN 14 YEARS OLD. Hawaii Revised Statute 707-732 SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO IS MENTALLY INCAPACITATED Hawaii Revised Statute 707-732(d) NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE. Hawaii Revised Statute 707-703 ARSON Hawaii Revised Statute 708-8253 Kimball went on to say that, while the county needs to protect property rights, it also needs to properly regulate commercial enterprises within residential and agricultural zones. She added that consumers have the right to stay in lodgings that are confirmed to be safe. All this and more has led to the measure becoming deeply concerning for vacation rental owners, who came out in droves Thursday to warn that passing the bill would cause them to lose their businesses and their homes, the measure is unconstitutional, at least and a naked effort by hotel industry lobbyists to crush competition at worst. Many echoed Mallicoat's criticisms of the bill, while others raised concerns about their own livelihoods. "The county should not dictate to private property owners which parts of their home they may occupy or rent, or how many visitors they may allow," said Christi Mallicoat, president of Hawaii Island Realtors. She added the measure seems to exist in lieu of actual enforcement of Bill 108, a 2018 measure that similarly established regulations for how short- term vacation rentals operate. Pahoa TAR owner Connie Goff said the money she receives from renting out a portion of her home for parts of the year is what allows her to own a home in Hawaii at all. The additional fees imposed by the bill, on top of the potential for enormous (daily) financial penalties for any violations, are "exorbitant," she said, and will only price more and more people out of the state. Another TAR owner, Audrey Wong, pleaded tearfully for the commission to vote against the bill. "I'm a single mom," Wong said. "Please don't take away my means of how I pay for education for my child, pay for my medical issues, and my retirement plan. Living in Hawaii is expensive. ... It is impossible to pay my mortgage with just one job. With Bill 121, I'd likely have to sell my home ... and the sales price would maybe not cover the mortgage." Despite there being four other items on the agenda unrelated to the bill, the first hour of the meeting was almost exclusively dedicated to testimony AGAINST the measure, with only a scant few voices in support of it—although at least two of those appeared to be doing so sarcastically. "I think it is great that the transient accommodation owners must register like sex offenders and post their scarlet letter for neighbors and inspectors to see," said Joe