STAND. COM. REP. NO.  846

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1244

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1244, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Amend the Cesspool Upgrade, Conversion, or Connection Income Tax Credit to make it assignable and refundable, applicable to more cesspools, and applicable for an additional two years; 

     (2)  Require upgrade, conversion, or connection to the sewer system of all cesspools in the State before 2050; and  

     (3)  Establish an income-based grant program to mitigate costs.

The Department of Health, Council Member representing District 3 of the Hawaii County Council, and Sierra Club of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  The Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Hawaii Association of REALTORS commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1244, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair