HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

162

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urgING the counties to freeze property taxes at their current levelS for homeowners who CURRENTLY, AND HAVE CONTINUOUSLY, RESIDED on their property for the last five years.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, property tax increases have caused difficulty in maintaining homeownership by adding to the cost of one's home; and

 

     WHEREAS, extensive development has increased neighboring property values, with corresponding increases to property taxes; and

 

     WHEREAS, the fear of rising property taxes because of new developments has led to anti-development concerns; and

 

     WHEREAS, many states have addressed this problem by limiting the growth of property taxes for owner-occupied properties; and

 

     WHEREAS, protecting homeowners from a rise in their property taxes would make homeownership more affordable and help prevent homeowners from being forced to sell their homes; and

 

     WHEREAS, any loss of revenues by a freeze in property taxes could be made up by property taxes collected from new developments; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that this body urges the counties to freeze property taxes at their current levels for homeowners who currently, and have continuously, resided on their property for the last five years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, County of Kauai, and County of Maui; and the Chairpersons of the Honolulu City Council, Hawaii County Council, Kauai County Council, and Maui County Council.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Property Taxes; Homeowners; Counties