STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1541-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 153

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.R. No. 153 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO DEVELOP AN OPTION THAT ALLOWS STATE RESIDENTS TO REMIT THEIR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAXES AND FEES ON A PRO-RATED BIANNUAL BASIS AND CONSIDER A PROCESS THAT ESTABLISHES A MORATORIUM ON MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAXES AND FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the counties to:

(1) Develop an option that allows residents to remit their motor vehicle registration taxes and fees on a pro-rated biannual basis; and

(2) Consider a process that establishes a moratorium on motor vehicle registration taxes and fees.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that while motor vehicles are often necessary for travel to and from work and to carry out other daily activities, some low-income individuals may not be able to pay the taxes and fees associated with motor vehicle registration in lump sum or may experience financial hardship in doing so. Additionally, if an individual is unable to pay for the taxes and fees associated with motor vehicle registration and incurs a penalty for late registration of the motor vehicle, the cycle of financial hardship on the individual continues and the fiscal responsibilities increase as delinquent fees and other costs continue to mount. Allowing low-income and other qualified individuals to pay their motor vehicle registration taxes and fees on a pro-rated semiannual basis may alleviate the financial hardships associated with transportation in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the requested option for residents to remit their motor vehicle registration taxes and fees to be on a pro-rated semiannual, rather than biannual, basis;

(2) Deleting language urging the counties to establish a moratorium on motor vehicle registration taxes and fees;

(3) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 153, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 153, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair