HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Denise Nakanishi Testimony From: Denise Nakanishi
To: W PCtesti mono
Cc: Denise Nakanishi
Subject: Testimony in opposition of bill 121
Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 4:36:58 PM
I am writing as a member of the public.
I find this bill so confusing that all I can do is submit a brief statement along with specific
examples of situations under which unintended consequences or unenforceable situations
should negate the bill completely.
First, if the reason for the bill is the proffered creation of more long-term housing,the onerous
nature of the tax consequences alone would stop me from renting additional space in my
property;whether a room or a detached unit. If the purpose is to increase revenue, it may
accomplish such but I suspect enforcement costs would notjustify the revenue collected. An
owner who so much as rents a room (isn't that traditionally a boarding house)would need to
register(pay a fee), pay TAT and GET, receive a reduction in their Homestead Exemption, have
their 3%cap eliminated and have their tax rate on the non-homestead portion increased
significantly. I believe this would serve as a huge dis-incentive to increasing longterm
housing. Offering an incentive would be abetter approach (eg.just leave their taxes alone).
In the most basic terms, as relates to hosted rentals,this bill regulates where you sleep in your
own home and as such is a direct restraint on our real property rights. I think we've all had
enough of this. Besides,this is unenforceable except possibly by policing the hosting
platforms. This would require hiring more staff and sets up the planning dept as the
neighborhood gestapo.
Sec 25,4,16,7 requires a "to scale" drawing....to rent a room out! Really??
Sec 25.4.16.12 talks about an "owner's" responsibility to transfer a permit.Which owner and
what are the logistics? Are real estate agents going have responsibilities in the transfer?What
if the permit is not to be continued?
Sec 25.4.16.17(2) says I'd need a special permit to get married in my own yard...probably
doesn't mean to say that but that's what it states.
Sec 25-4.17.2 talks about Hosting platforms not being allowed to operate. We need vacation
rentals despite how some people feel about them in their neighborhood. I have a very noisy
neighbor. I wish their house was a vacation rental. It would be much better than living with
compressors, dogs and yelling. Both situations actually already have laws to deal with some
of this as I'm sure you are aware. Theyjust need to be enforced. This is Merrie Monarch week.
We have people sleeping all over the place because there are not enough hotel rooms. The
revenue generated byvacation rentals and those who work there is significant not to mention
that a vacation rental experience is a very different experience than a hotel. It's a family
experience . Sure, there are a few bad applies but that's human nature.
Those are my thoughts. After 34 years in the real estate busines, 8 years of college and 13
years as a good bureaucrat in the US ARMY, I had to read this bill numerous times to try to
untangle it. I know a lot of time and effort was put into this but I can't imaging a little old lady
who simply wants to rent a room short term even knowing where to begin.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Denise S Nakanishi, REALTOR
den iseO)hawaiilife.com
808-936-5100
501 Ainalako Rd, Hilo, HI 96720