REPORT TITLE: 
Taxes, super majority
DESCRIPTION:
Amends article VIII to require approval of two-thirds of the
elected members of the legislature to increase taxes, levy new
taxes, or repeal a tax exemption or credit.


 
HB HMIA 99-310
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                            728         
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     A BILL FOR AN ACT

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VIII OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION
   TO REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF TWO-THIRDS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO
   LEVY OR INCREASE TAXES OR TO REPEAL A TAX EXEMPTION OR
   CREDIT.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:


 1      SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to propose an
 
 2 amendment to Article VIII, section 3, of the Constitution of the
 
 3 State of Hawaii to require that any new tax, increase in the rate
 
 4 of tax of an existing tax, or repeal of an existing tax exemption
 
 5 or credit shall require the approval of two-thirds of the elected
 
 6 members of the legislature.
 
 7      SECTION 2.  Article VIII, section 3, of the Constitution of
 
 8 the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:
 
 9      "Section 3.  The taxing power shall be reserved to the
 
10 State, except so much thereof as may be delegated by the
 
11 legislature to the political subdivisions, and except that all
 
12 functions, powers and duties relating to the taxation of real
 
13 property shall be exercised exclusively by the counties, with the
 
14 exception of the county of Kalawao.  The levy of a new tax, an
 
15 increase in the rate of an existing tax, or a repeal of an
 
16 existing tax exemption or credit shall require the enactment of a
 
17 law by two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the
 
18 legislature.  The legislature shall have the power to apportion
 

HB HMIA 99-310
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 1 state revenues among the several political subdivisions." 
 
 2      SECTION 3.  The question to be printed on the ballot shall
 
 3 be as follows:
 
 4      "Shall the Constitution to be amended to require that the
 
 5 levy of a new tax, an increase in the rate of an existing tax, or
 
 6 a repeal of an existing tax exemption or credit shall require the
 
 7 enactment of a law passed by two-thirds of the elected members of
 
 8 each house of the legislature?"
 
 9      SECTION 4.  New constitutional material is underscored. 
 
10      SECTION 5.  This amendment shall take effect upon compliance
 
11 with Article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of
 
12 Hawaii.
 
13 
 
14 
 
15                         INTRODUCED BY:___________________________
 

 
HB HMIA 99-310