STAND. COM. REP. 898
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2003
RE: S.B. No. 1517
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2003
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1517, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to provide a stable funding mechanism for the natural area reserve system and to protect the State from invasive species by:
(1) Increasing the conveyance tax from 10 cents per $100 to
20 cents per $100 of the actual and full consideration
on transfers or conveyances of realty valued at
$600,000 or greater;
(2) Increasing the allocation of the taxes paid into the
Rental Housing Trust Fund and the Natural Area Reserve
Fund from 25 percent to 35 percent;
(3) Requiring that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to consult jointly with the Forest Stewardship Committee and the Natural Reserves System Commission before disbursing funds to the Natural Area Partnership and Forest Stewardship Programs; and
(4) Requiring the Natural Area Reserve Fund to be used for the management of natural area reserves and an early detection and rapid response program for invasive species.
The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Kahea: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, Hawaiian Botanical Society, 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi, Conservation Council for Hawaii, The Hawaii People's Fund, Hawaii Audubon Society, Ko'olau Mountains Watershed Partnership, Na Koa Ikaika, Kulamanu Farm, Na Leo Pohai, Hawaii's Thousand Friends, Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, Illio Ulaokalani Coalition, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.
The Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii supported the intent of this measure.
The Department of Taxation and the Hawaii Association of Realtors opposed this measure.
DLNR and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii commented on this measure.
Because of limited general funds, your Committee finds that increasing the conveyance tax is the only logical solution to ensure that the Natural Area Reserve System is protected and programs such as the Natural Area Partnership Program, the Forest Stewardship Program, and the Watershed Partnerships are continued.
Your Committee also believes that this measure will provide necessary funds to protect our environment from invasive species.
Your Committee has amended this bill by:
(1) Changing the basis of the conveyance tax rate to the actual and full consideration paid for all transfers or conveyances of realty of $600,000 or greater;
(2) Changing the effective date to September 1, 2003; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style and clarity.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1517, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1517, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection,
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____________________________ HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair |
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