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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br />DATE: June 4, 2024 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:03 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 858/Bill No. 161 <br />Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 161, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 161, transmitted by Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, via Communication <br />No. 858, dated March 4, 2024, amends Chapter 19, Article 11, Section 19-90 of the Hawaii County <br />Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), Relating to Real Property Taxes. <br />This bill expands permitted uses of Residential Tier Two Property tax revenue to include the funding <br />of County -sponsored programs designed to address mental health. <br />Finance Committee of May 14, 2024 <br />Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Cindy Evans at <br />9:48 a.m. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder provided background on this measure and shared why he saw a <br />need for this amendment. He asked Housing Administrator Susan Kunz to give some thoughts on this <br />measure. Ms. Kunz commented in support of Mr. Kaneali`i-KI einfelder's overview. She agreed that <br />chronic mental health can sometimes lead to homelessness but feared that the language added to this <br />bill was too vague. She shared that on June 4, 2024, she will appear before the committee with its first <br />impact report and the progress those service providers have made. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas shared her concerns about the bill as it currently exists and <br />agreed with Ms. Kunz regarding her concerns regarding the language. <br />Committee Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy strongly opposed this bill, commenting that she felt it could <br />sabotage the current program and its funds. <br />Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked if the Office of Housing requested this amendment, <br />and Ms. Kunz replied that they did not. Ms. Kierkiewicz was not in support of this bill. She stated that <br />it is evident that the Office of Housing currently provides grants to nonprofits to assist in mental health <br />services, and she feels there is no need for this bill. <br />Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder proposed to postpone the measure to the June 4th Committee on Finance, <br />which was seconded and approved by the Committee. <br />FC Report No. 167 <br />