HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 177 2024/07/23 (2022-2024)REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: July 23, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:23 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawai `i 96720
Re: Comm. No. 905/Bill No. 174
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 174, reports as follows:
Bill No. 174, transmitted by Committee Member Jennifer Kagiwada and Committe Member
Michelle Galimba via Communication No. 905, dated May 31, 2024, amends Chapter 19, Article 7,
Section 19-53, and Article 10, Section 19-71, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as
amended), relating to the Real Property Taxes.
This bill allows residential properties rented for six months or more to be eligible for the Homeowner
tax classification and replaces the term "husband and wife" with "married persons".
Finance Committee Meeting of June 18, 2024
Real Property Tax Assistant Administrator Keita Jo was available in the Kona Chambers to answer
questions.
Committee Members Jenn Kagiwada and Michelle Galimba provided background on this measure.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas thanked Ms. Kagiwada and Ms. Galimba for their work on this
legislation, mentioning that Bill 108 was created at the request of the constituents of the west side.
Ms. Villegas also stated there are ways to improve the enforcement of Bill 108, but her concerns with
this legislation are that none of the constituents have asked for this, and feels it is interfering with.
people's businesses and livelihoods.
Committee Member Heather Kimball expressed that the language might need to be reviewed as it might
be inconsistent with the existing Code. Committee Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy stated that she supports
this measure but recommended a postponement for further discussion.
With the support of all members present, Bill 174 was postponed to July 23, 2024.
Finance Committee Meeting of July 23, 2024
Real Property Tax Administrator Lisa Miura, Mr. Jo, and Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance were
present in the Kona Chambers for questions.
Ms. Kagiwada opened the discussion on this matter by providing background.
FC Report No. 1.77
FC-1.77 Page 2 July 23, 2024
Ms. Kimball commented in support of this matter and thanked. Ms. Kagiwada and Galimba for bringing
it forward.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba commented on some of the language changes and asked if
removing the word "exclusively" is necessary. Mr. Inaba asked Ms. Miura her thoughts on the matter.
Ms. Miura believed that the removal of the word "exclusively" was due to other language in the bill that
could conflict with the intent of the bill. Mr. Inaba expressed that his interpretation of this section did
not feel like it merited the change. Ms. Miura advised that a common problem that the administration
and departments encounter is the interpretation of the Code and how a person could interpret the Code
differently than the author's original intent. Mr. Inaba asked for some clarification from Ms. Strance as
he was concerned that the unnecessary removal of the word could be problematic. Ms. Strance could not
answer immediately and requested time to review this matter.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 1.74, and recommends
its passage on first reading.
1kh
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
X
GALIMBA
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
LEE LOY
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
MATT KANEAILI`I-KLEINFELDER,
REPORT NO.: 177
ADOPTED: AUG 77 2024