Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2458 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reduce the $3 per day rental motor vehicle surcharge tax to $2 per day.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Catrala-Hawaii. Testimony in opposition was received from the Department of Taxation and Department of Transportation. Comments were received from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Enacted by Act 263, Session Laws of Hawaii 1991, the rental motor vehicle surcharge tax was originally $2 per day. Act 223, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, temporarily raised this tax to $3 per day for the period from September 1, 1999, to August 31, 2007. Your Committees are concerned that the $3 daily surcharge tax on rental motor vehicles could adversely affect Hawaii's competitive image as a fair and attractive tourist destination.

Your Committees find that there was a significant increase in revenues to the state general fund in 2005. This increase is expected to continue through 2007 and probably longer in view of Hawaii's positive tourism outlook. In light of a healthy general fund along with significant increases in revenues to the state highway fund, your Committees believe that it is fair and appropriate to reduce the rental motor vehicle surcharge tax.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2458 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.