Bill Text: HI HB1447 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Native Plant Species.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-16 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Todd excused (1). [HB1447 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-HB1447-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1447 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to native plant species.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. Due to rapid changes in land use over the past century, many species native to Hawaii are facing extinction in the near future. While our system of parks and nature preserves have made powerful strides in conserving biodiversity, more action is needed. The legislature also finds that private landowners are entrusted with stewardship of our islands and bear a responsibility to ensure that their natural beauty is preserved for the next generation.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to help landowners fulfill their responsibility by establishing an income tax credit for taxpayers who engage in preservation efforts using native plants.
SECTION 2. Chapter 235, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§235-
Native
plant preservation tax credit. (a)
There shall be allowed to each taxpayer subject to the tax imposed under
this chapter, a native plant preservation tax credit that shall be deductible
from the taxpayer's net income tax liability, if any, imposed by this chapter
for the taxable year in which the credit is properly claimed.
(b) In the case of a partnership, S corporation,
estate, or trust, the tax credit shall be determined at the entity level. Distribution and share of credit shall be
determined by rule.
(c) The native
plant preservation tax credit shall be equal to $1,000 multiplied by the
percentage of the taxpayer's land that is occupied by native plants, as
certified by the department of land and natural resources; provided that no
credit shall be allowed under this section if the percentage of a taxpayer's
land that is occupied by native plants is less than twenty per cent.
(d) The department of land and natural resources
shall:
(1) Maintain records of the names and addresses of the taxpayers claiming the credits under this section;
(2) Verify the percentage of a taxpayer's land
that is occupied by native plants;
(3) Certify all qualified use of native plants
for the purposes of this section; and
(4) Certify to each taxpayer the amount of credit the taxpayer may claim.
The
department of land and natural resources may adopt rules under chapter 91 as necessary
to implement the certification requirements under this section.
The
department of land and natural resources may assess and collect a fee to offset
the costs of certifying tax credit claims under this section.
(e) The director of taxation:
(1) Shall prepare any forms that may be necessary to claim a tax credit under this section;
(2) May require the taxpayer to furnish reasonable information to ascertain the validity of the claim for the tax credit made under this section; and
(3) May adopt rules under chapter 91 necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(f) If the tax credit claimed by the taxpayer
under this section exceeds the amount of the income tax payments due from the
taxpayer, the excess of credit over payments due shall be refunded to the
taxpayer; provided that the tax credit properly claimed by a taxpayer who has
no income tax liability shall be paid to the taxpayer; and provided further
that no refunds or payments on account of the tax credit allowed by this section
shall be made for amounts less than $1.
All
claims for the tax credit under this section, including amended claims, shall
be filed on or before the end of the twelfth month following the close of the
taxable year for which the credit may be claimed. Failure to comply with the foregoing
provision shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the credit.
(g) As used in this section, "native plants" means any plants
that are indigenous or endemic to Hawaii."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act, upon its approval, shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Income Tax Credit; Native Plants; Preservation
Description:
Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who engage in preservation efforts using native plants.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
