HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.121 2024-2026P /Count
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From: Nancy Bondurant
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Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2025 7:12 PM
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To: Council Testimony
Subject: Can Bill 47
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This.is outrageous. We have been promised at the very least an economic impact statement b2pre�i�
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action is taken. A lot of people rent out Ohana's to workers on their
Farms. With the eyes probkRn
diminishing the availability of the worker pool for the coffee Farms,
what are we supposed to do now?
Whose side is the Council on anyway?
Therefore, I am opposing Bill 47 and respectfully pleading with the council to shelf this bill at LEAST until
we have the results of the Economic Impact Study and the results of the Surveys we were promised. If
you move forward with the bill without the results of the surveys (we were also promised updated surveys
at the meeting last month) and the Economic Impact Study we were promised, the damage will already
be done.
Furthermore, there is no clarification on AG land rentals, NUC's, Ohanas, etc so anyone registering under
bill 47 is essentially signing without knowledge if they will be fined, shut down, eventual liens on their
homes, and all this under fear of a $10,000 fine if you don't register. In fairness to the tax paying residents
of the Big Island, there should be clarification on what will be considered a legal rental, what any
potential changes to the definition of a "hosted rental" might be, how Ohanas and NUCS will be dealt
with, and given the opportunity to provide feedback etc.
I also feel that the public should be well informed of any further meetings or potential regulation so the
public can make educated decisions and submit their testimony. Inform residents through the same
channels as they would if this bill passes and people are required to register. As it stands now, the public
has NOT been notified and only those that are really keeping an eye on this will even know that bill 121 is
being reintroduced as Bill 47. Why the secrecy? Shouldn't the public be notified and have the opportunity
for their voices to be heard on something that could cost them a $10,000 fine, their small business shut
down, possible financial ruin? No one has been informed of the results of the surveys (that again, were
not made available to the majority of the public). Common Decency and the law states that once a bill
fails at the County Council, it should not be reintroduced for 2 years which would give ample time to get
the results of the economic impact study we were promised. Considering Big Island residents have been
operating HOSTED rentals without Government interference for decades, I feel it is a very reasonable
request to wait on the results of the Economic Impact Study, provide the results to the public, and then
make an EDUCATED decision, with the public input BEFORE making a hasty, uneducated decision that
could affect Big Island residents and the Big Island as a whole.
And the same time the state is pleading with us to house displaced Maui families, now they're wanting to
taxes for our kindness and Goodwill? It takes money to house people, especially for just basic services
like water and utilities. This makes no sense whatsoever. Please respect our County and our occupants.
Do the right thing. Live up to your promise word and at least do the economic impact study before any
more action is taken. Mahalo.
Comm. 6!°p
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