HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 474 11/13/1991 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Date: November 13, 1991 Re: 'Comm. 2907
Place: Councilroom
Time: 10 : 00 a .m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 496, reports
as follows :
The purpose of Bill 496 is to amend Chapter 19 , Article 7, relating
to Real Property Tax Maps and Valuation, Hawaii County Code, by
adding real property tax provisions which recognize tree farm
property, as classified pursuant to Chapter 186 HRS, as an
agricultural activity eligible for consideration for the
agricultural use assessment and agricultural dedication.
Communication No . 2907, dated October 1, 1991, from Council
Chairman, transmits said Bill No. 496 and explains that presently
forest areas are often cleared and converted to pasture use so land
is eligible for preferential agricultural use assessment and
agricultural dedication. Further, State statute currently allows
lands to be classified as tree farm property if approved by the
Board of Land and Natural Resources .
On October 8, 1991, your Committee heard testimony from a
representative of Hawaii Forest Industry Association who informed
members said organization has compiled comprehensive legislation
which addresses watershed and enhancement of forest management
issues . Copies of proposed legislation was requested for discussion
at future Finance Committee meetings . Your Committee voted to refer
Bill 496 to the Administration for review and comment .
At the November 13 , 1991 meeting, Committee members were informed
that. the Real Property Tax office had not yet developed a plan to
implement proposed provisions of Bill 496 . Members were informed
that agricultural assessments are usually based on lease rental and
as the tree farm is a new use, there are no comparables .
Your Committee requested Administration have more definitive plans
for implementing tree farm classification by the Council meeting
November 20 , 1991 .
Your Committee also agreed to make additional non-substantive
amendments to Bill 496 . Such amendments include citing the entire
Section 19-53 and 19-55 and using the term "tree farm" in a more
grammatically acceptable position within those paragraphs is is
added to . These non-substantive amendments have been incorporated
in Bill 496 , Draft 2 .
FC REPORT NO, 474
ADOPTED : DEC 10 1991
FC- 474 Page 2 November 13, 1991
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the intent and purpose
of Bill 496, Draft 2, and recommends that it pass first reading.
--Z/ 6 ,r-
r
HELENE H. HALE, CHAIRWOMAN
if
Or e / 1
ROBERT H. MAKUAKANE, VICE CHR. BRIAN J. DE LIMA, M 43E•
J
.
Q ,OW.1v
TAKASHI DOMIiGO, MEMBai• MERL: K. LAI, MEM: R
(Absent and Excused)
HARRY S. RUDDLE, MEMBER SPENCER K. SCHUTTE, MEMBER
POL