Hawaii-2024-HB1055-Introduced

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1055
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOUSING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

Section 1. The legislature finds that homestead lots or housing developed for the department of Hawaiian home lands awarded to native Hawaiians are offered at affordable rates when compared to similar housing opportunities available in Hawaii. The purpose of this Act is to exempt any development of homestead lots or housing for the department of Hawaiian home lands from general excise and use taxes.

Section 2. Chapter 237, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§237- Exemptions for any development of homestead lots or housing for the department of Hawaiian home lands. (a) This chapter shall not apply to gross proceeds of sale or gross income arising from the planning, design, financing, or construction of any development of homestead lots or housing for the department of Hawaiian home lands as provided in this section.

(b) The exemption eligibility shall be approved by the department of Hawaiian home lands and shall apply to the amounts derived by any qualified person or firm from a newly constructed or a moderately or substantially rehabilitated project that is developed:

(1) For the department of Hawaiian home lands;

(2) Under a government assistance program approved by the department of Hawaiian home lands;

(3) Under the sponsorship of a nonprofit organization providing home rehabilitation or new homes for qualified families in need of decent, low-cost housing; or

(4) To provide affordable rental housing where at least fifty per cent of the available units are for households with incomes at or below eighty per cent of the area median family income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(c) All claims for exemption under this section shall be filed with and certified by the department of Hawaiian home lands and forwarded to the department of taxation by the claimant. Any claim for exemption that is filed and approved shall not be considered a subsidy.

(d) The department of Hawaiian home lands may establish, revise, charge, and collect a reasonable service fee in connection with its approvals and certifications of the exemption under this section. The fees shall be deposited into the Hawaiian home operating fund.

(e) For purposes of this section:

"Homestead lot" means a lot of residential, agricultural, or pastoral use to be awarded pursuant to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, including but not limited to on- and off-site infrastructure requirements, appurtenances, and dwelling units.

"Moderately rehabilitated" means:

(1) Rehabilitation to upgrade a dwelling unit to a decent, safe, and sanitary condition; or

(2) Repair or replacement of major building systems or components in danger of failure.

"Substantially rehabilitated" means the improvement of a property to a decent, safe, and sanitary condition that requires more than routine or minor repairs or improvements. It may include but shall not be limited to:

(1) The gutting and extensive reconstruction of a dwelling unit;

(2) Cosmetic improvements coupled with the curing of a substantial accumulation of deferred maintenance; or

(3) The renovation, alteration, or remodeling to convert or adapt structurally sound property to the design and condition required for a specific use, such as conversion of a hotel to housing for elders."

SECTION 3. Section 238-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (j) to read as follows:

"(j) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use of property, services, or contracting exempted by section 237-26 [or], section 237-29[.], or section 237- ."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on January 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:

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BY REQUEST