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Council stated that they believe that they must proceed'at speed'to regulate a highly functional part <br /> of our island economy? <br /> . It is a complete logical fallacy to suggest that this Bill should be driven by a concern for affordable <br /> housing.There is no'affordable housing'if most are jobless and the economy is stripped bare. It <br /> should always be of concern to hear small farmers say that this will hurt their chances of <br /> survival.More jobs&better jobs are surely a bigger part of the solution to our housing <br /> crisis,not destroying an economic driver on our island? <br /> • With the presentation of a Bill in the Senate(SB2919)that is heavily endorsed by The American <br /> Hotel and Lodging Association a bias is on display if passed.The passage of either SB2919 or this <br /> bill 121 would essentially pave the way to hosts being 'deplatformed'(a stated goal of the lobbyists) <br /> and a monopoly of market share being possible. <br /> . This Bill 121 is stepping out ahead of The General Plan and as such this appears wholly <br /> inappropriate.Doing so represents gross overreach of County Council. <br /> . Hosts are already regulated and taxed. Bill 108 already saw County Planning Division regulate short <br /> term rentals since 2018.Hosts have been collecting tax revenue for Hawaii County since 2022. <br /> This is not 'complaint driven.' <br /> Many of us question the reasoning for this Bill. This does not have merit in responding to any pressing need.When <br /> Councilwoman Kimball was challenged to state the number of complaints she stated that County of Hawaii has only <br /> 60 complaints on file.In testimony before the Governmental Affairs committee hearing the bill on 1/23/24 that the <br /> only individuals in favor were retired former mayor Harry Kim and a paid Hawaii County employee in uniform. <br /> The ratio of those in opposition was something like 60:2.This shows a very poor imperative to pass this <br /> legislation. <br /> Overregulation and over taxation will be the result of Bill 121 if it passes. <br /> The requirement that all hosts put on display their registration'ID'at their property boundary is an invasion of basic <br /> privacy rights and poses a security risk.Measures forcing all hosts to register under a County Department forces an <br /> entrepreneur sector to be subjected to yet more control and scrutiny from a department that performs the worst of the <br /> entire nation. (Planning Department recent rating in a study).It's obvious to many of us that implementing this is not <br /> a magical solution to our housing issue. <br /> More surely of what drives an economy,growth and innovation.It should concerns us always to see more'socialist' <br /> measures that are objectionable: <br /> . regulated&surveilled households <br /> . heavy fines up to$10,000 which will lead to property forfeiture and seizure <br /> Bill 121 will deliver terrible optics to the public: <br /> As Councilmembers, having just received the first of two substantial pay rises(this month being the first)it is a <br /> particularly poor optic to be engaged in dismantling the livelihoods of others.Further the potential for Bill 121 to <br /> favor Hotels to the point of delivering them a monopoly share of business is simply not a good optic and would lead <br /> to a breach of public trust and an abuse of power. <br />