Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2571, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide tax benefits to blind, deaf, or totally disabled individuals who are engaged in business, regardless of the type of business entity in which they do business.

Currently, state gross income tax and general excise tax benefits are available to blind, deaf, and totally disabled individuals, as defined in section 235-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or corporations whose outstanding shares are owned only by blind, deaf, or totally disabled persons. Your Committee finds that tax benefits should be available to these individuals regardless of the type of business entity if they choose to do business. Tax benefits should be available not only to corporations, but also to other business entities formed by blind, deaf, and totally disabled persons, such as partnerships of all types and limited liability companies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2571, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.