HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 167 2024/06/04 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: June 4, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:03 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 858/Bill No. 161
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 161, reports as follows:
Bill No. 161, transmitted by Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, via Communication
No. 858, dated March 4, 2024, amends Chapter 19, Article 11, Section 19-90 of the Hawaii County
Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), Relating to Real Property Taxes.
This bill expands permitted uses of Residential Tier Two Property tax revenue to include the funding
of County -sponsored programs designed to address mental health.
Finance Committee of May 14, 2024
Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Cindy Evans at
9:48 a.m. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder provided background on this measure and shared why he saw a
need for this amendment. He asked Housing Administrator Susan Kunz to give some thoughts on this
measure. Ms. Kunz commented in support of Mr. Kaneali`i-KI einfelder's overview. She agreed that
chronic mental health can sometimes lead to homelessness but feared that the language added to this
bill was too vague. She shared that on June 4, 2024, she will appear before the committee with its first
impact report and the progress those service providers have made.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas shared her concerns about the bill as it currently exists and
agreed with Ms. Kunz regarding her concerns regarding the language.
Committee Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy strongly opposed this bill, commenting that she felt it could
sabotage the current program and its funds.
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked if the Office of Housing requested this amendment,
and Ms. Kunz replied that they did not. Ms. Kierkiewicz was not in support of this bill. She stated that
it is evident that the Office of Housing currently provides grants to nonprofits to assist in mental health
services, and she feels there is no need for this bill.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder proposed to postpone the measure to the June 4th Committee on Finance,
which was seconded and approved by the Committee.
FC Report No. 167
FC-167 Page 2 June 4,2024
Finance Committee of June 4,2024
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder relinquished the chair to Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba. He then
asked Ms. Kunz to provide her updated comments. Ms. Kunz, after further discussions with the
department, reiterated her lack of support for the amendment. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder suggested
tabling the measure until Ms. Kunz presented her impact report at a later committee, believing that the
Committee could make a more informed decision with the data from the impact report.
Multiple Committee Members commented in opposition to tabling this matter. They spoke in opposition
of this bill and stated they were not in support of this measure. Ms. Lee Loy called for the question.
Your Committee on Finance is not in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 161, and forwards it
to Council with a negative recommendation.
1kh
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS X
GALIMBA x COMMITTE: ON FINANCE
INABA X
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ x MATT 7,NEAL i`I-KLEINFELDER,
KIMBALL X CHAIR
LEE LOY X FC REPORT Nye; 9 2
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: AM 1 024