STAND. COM. REP. NO.  21

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 829

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 829 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ARMED SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist Hawaii residents who are veterans of the armed services and who have a service-connected disability by exempting these veterans from motor vehicle taxes and fees for noncommercial motor vehicles.

     The Office of Veterans Services supported the intent of this bill.  The Department of Transportation and Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii commented on this bill.

Many residents of Hawaii have served their country in the armed services, and many of these individuals have been injured in combat, with some suffering permanent disabilities.  Exempting the vehicles of these individuals from taxes and fees is a small price to pay for the sacrifices they have made.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 829 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair