HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 029 2025-02-18 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: February 18, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:31 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 119/Bill No. 27
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 27, reports as follows:
Bill No. 27, transmitted by Committee Members Ashley L. Kierkiewicz and Holeka Goro Inaba via
Communication No. 119, dated January 27, 2025, amends Chapter 2, Article 45, Section 2-235, of
the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), relating to the General Excise and Use
Tax Surcharge.
This bill adds County -appropriated housing infrastructure costs and the definition of "Housing
infrastructure costs" to use of funds to codify the Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, Act 30, which took
effect on July 1, 2024.
Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, Deputy Finance Director Malia Kekai, and Corporation Counsel
Renee Schoen were available for questions.
Ms. Kierkiewicz and Mr. Inaba provided background on this matter.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba thanked Ms. Kierkiewicz and Mr. Inaba for introducing this
measure and asked if housing developers could be reimbursed for infrastructure costs. Ms. Schoen
stated that the language of the measure doesn't allow for that, but maybe they could discuss the
possibility of a reimbursement with the Finance Department.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi requested to see a percentage of the funds dedicated to
roads and transportation and housing.
Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada asked how these funds will be decided and who will be able to
make those decisions. Mr. Inaba replied by stating that it would be up to the administration and once
they create a budget the committe would be able to weigh in.
Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed concerns with some of the language and asked
if there will be tax exemptions for developers. Ms. Galimba shared the same concerns. Mr. Inaba
stated that all the definitions are clear and they are not trying to exempt anyone from paying taxes.
FC Report No. 29
FC-29 Page 2 February 18, 2025
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 27, and recommends
its passage on first reading.
Hil
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
x
HUSTACE
x
INABA
x
KAGI)NADA
x
KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER
x
KIERKIEWICZ
x
KIMBALL
x
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
x
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
MATT KANEALY'l-KLEINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT NO.: 29
ADOPTED: MAR 0 7 2025