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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0600.029 2022-2024 p/Fc DocuSign Envelope ID:F14F2875-E1EC-4EBB-A74C-09E18D93C4E9 bill (Ott COV.COO o�commerce�� Japanese Chamber of Commerce &Industry of Hawaii I � N OO` I,r.ajorQ,�January 22,2024 Since 19S' Re: Bill 104: (Draft 3):AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19,ARTICLE 1, SECTION 19-2; CHAPTER 19,ARTICLE 7,SECTION 19-53;AND CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 11,SECTION 19-90,OF THE HAWAI'I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A LONG-TERM RENTAL CLASS FOR REAL PROPERTY TAXES. N �J Hawai'i County Council County of Hawai'i c— Hawai'i mow- County Building 25 Aupuni Street,Hilo,HI 96720 Dear Chair Kanealii-Kleinfelder,Vice Chair Evans,and members of the committee, My name is Garth Yamanaka, and I am the current president of the Japanese Chamber of rso Commerce and Industry of Hawaii(JCCIH).The Japanese Chamber of Commerce&Industry of -- Hawaii has been incorporated since 1951 and represents over 300 members of the business community. On behalf of JCCIH,we have concerns with Bill 104 as written and related to the creation of a long-term rental class for real property taxes. The JCCIH believes it is essential to have clarity in legislation to avoid market uncertainty and ensure fair decisions. The incompleteness of the document and discretionary powers of the Real Property Tax Office can indeed lead to inefficiencies and unclear guidelines affecting those involved. To address this: Clarify Criteria: Define explicit and comprehensive criteria for the long-term rental classification, leaving less room for subjective interpretation by the tax office. Transparency in Decision-making: Ensure transparent processes and guidelines for assessing properties under the long-term rental classification to avoid arbitrary decisions. Consultation: Involve stakeholders,through public consultations or input from industry experts,to draft a more comprehensive and clearer bill. 714 Kanoelehua Avenue . Hilo, Hawaii 96720 �`1 Comm. No. (��U• Telephone: 808-934-0177 • Fax: 808-934-0178 p email:jccih@jccih.org • www.jccih.org Ref. To: f / Ref. Date 4AN. 2 3 2024 DocuSign Envelope ID:F14F2875-E1EC-4EBB-A74C-09E18D93C4E9 Communication of Revenue Shortfall: Transparently communicate how the revenue shortfall will impact potential raising of taxes in other classes to ensure stakeholders understand the potential implications. One of JCCIH's primary missions is to help provide solutions to our affordable housing issue. We believe that this bill is a great start toward that end but as mentioned,would like to recommend addition of language and clarifications to the Bill-as written to help resolve some of these items. As a collaborative effort,we have met Council Member Kagiwada and our encouraged by some of the changes she intends to introduce. Mahalo, ,—DocuSigned by: Gant gag,atn a L—135F7F94CD454C7... Garth Yamanaka President, 2023-2024 • 714 Kanoelehua Avenue • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 Telephone: 808-934-0177 • Fax: 808-934-0178 email:jccih@jccih.org • www.jccih.org