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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1640 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to homelessness.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
PART I
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness is a critical issue in the State. The legislature further finds that reducing the unemployment rate is an important step in addressing homelessness in Hawaii. Proper training will enable a person to develop the skills necessary to be marketable in the workforce. The lack of financial resources can often make receiving proper training unattainable.
The purpose of this part is to address homelessness in the State by mandating that the department of labor and industrial relations establish a stipend program for unemployed persons who are currently enrolled in and receiving training from an employment training program approved by the department of labor and industrial relations.
SECTION 2. (a) Effective January 1, , the department of labor and industrial relations shall establish a program that provides a stipend for unemployed persons who are currently enrolled in and receiving training from an employment training program approved by the department of labor and industrial relations in accordance with subsection (b).
(b) In establishing the program, the department of labor and industrial relations shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which include:
(1) Eligibility requirements for the receipt of a training stipend;
(2) A list of approved employment training programs; and
(3) The stipend amount.
(c) The department of labor and industrial relations shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations on the program established by this part, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.
PART II
SECTION 3. The legislature finds that there is a shortage of affordable rental housing units to accommodate individuals and families requiring section 8 tenant-based housing assistance. The legislature further finds that many landlords are hesitant to rent their property to section 8 tenants. One of the concerns raised by landlords is the fear of not being able to recover the costs of repairing damage to their property when those costs exceed the amount of the security deposit.
The purpose of this part is to encourage landlords to rent to section 8 tenants by requiring the department of commerce and consumer affairs to establish a program to offer dwelling insurance policies for landlords renting to section 8 tenants.
SECTION 4. (a) The department of commerce and consumer affairs shall establish a program to offer dwelling insurance policies to landlords that rent their property to section 8 tenants beginning January 1, . The department of commerce and consumer affairs, with the cooperation of the Hawaii public housing authority, shall establish the framework for establishing the insurance program pursuant to this part.
(b) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017, the department of commerce and consumer affairs shall submit a written report to the legislature consisting of its findings and recommendations to effectuate this part, including proposed legislation to establish the insurance program.
PART III
SECTION 5. The purpose of this part is to establish a conveyance tax credit to encourage owners of real property to sell to first-time homebuyers.
SECTION 6. Chapter 247, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§247- Tax credit; first-time homebuyer. (a) There shall be a tax credit of no more than $ allowed to each grantor, lessor, sublessor, assignor, transferor, seller, conveyor, or any other person conveying realty, or any interest therein, by a document or instrument subject to section 247-1 to an eligible first-time homebuyer.
(b) The department of taxation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 that include eligibility requirements for first-time homebuyers."
PART IV
SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 8. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.
SECTION 9. This Act, upon its approval, shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Homelessness; Tax Credit; Insurance; Stipend
Description:
Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a stipend program for qualified individuals currently enrolled in job training programs. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to establish a program to offer insurance policies to landlords who rent to section 8 tenants. Establishes a tax credit for sellers who convey an interest in real property to a qualified first-time homebuyer.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.