Bill Text: HI SB447 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Fire Protection.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-01-25 - Referred to PSM, WAM. [SB447 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2021-SB447-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
447 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that automatic fire sprinkler systems have a proven record of significantly reducing life loss, injury, and property damage. However, eight out of ten fire deaths occur in the home. Only the sprinkler head closest to the fire will activate and eighty-five per cent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler. Today's newer homes pose inherent fire hazards that not only affect the occupants, but also fire fighters. These include:
(1) Engineered lumber now used as a composite joist or beam as part of today's modern, lightweight construction material. Compared with traditional wood materials in older homes, lightweight construction assemblies collapsed in six minutes versus eighteen minutes for wood;
(2) Modern furnishings burn quicker and hotter than traditional legacy furnishings. These place not only occupants, but fire fighters in extreme peril when a fire occurs in a home without sprinklers; and
(3) Open plan designs contribute to rapid fire spread. Higher ceiling heights and open plan designs with less compartmentalization provide larger volumes of oxygen to promote fire spread.
California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia require residential sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings. About eighteen states do not require sprinklers, but allow local jurisdictions to require them. Communities that have adopted a residential sprinkler requirement in new one- and two-family dwellings have not seen any decrease in the residential construction or the sale of new homes, and the economies of scale reduces costs. However, residential fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings are rare in the State. One reason is the cost. The legislature finds that an incentive is needed to encourage the installation of fire sprinklers in new homes.
SECTION 2. The purpose of this Act is to provide an incentive to install an automatic fire sprinkler system in any new one- or two-family owner-occupant residential-use only dwelling by establishing a tax credit comprising a percentage of the actual cost of the system, including installation, materials, water and permitting fees, and any related charges.
SECTION 3. Chapter 235, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§235- Tax credit to promote the installation of fire
sprinklers in residences. (a) Any
qualifying taxpayer who is an owner-occupant and files an individual income tax
return for a taxable year may claim an income tax credit under this section against
the Hawaii state individual net income tax.
(b) The tax credit may be claimed for an eligible
automatic fire sprinkler system that is installed and placed in service by the taxpayer
during the taxable year in any one- or two-family dwelling unit that is in a building
that is used only for residential purposes.
For each automatic sprinkler system, the tax credit that may be claimed
shall be no more than thirty per cent of the actual cost of the system,
including installation, water and permitting fees, or any related charges;
provided that:
(1) Only the owner-occupant
of the dwelling or the purchaser installing the automatic sprinkler system in a
new one- or two-family dwelling used only for residential purposes shall be
entitled to a single tax credit;
(2) Only one credit
may be claimed per tax map key number; and
(3) The amount of
the credit taken shall not exceed $5,000.
(c) The basis of eligible property for
depreciation or accelerated cost recovery system for state income tax purposes
shall be reduced by the amount of credit allowable and claimed. No deduction shall be allowed for that
portion of otherwise deductible qualified costs for which a credit is claimed
under this section.
(d) 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 overpayments due shall be used as a credit
against the taxpayer's income tax liability in subsequent years until
exhausted.
(e) The director of taxation shall prepare forms
as may be necessary to claim a credit under this section, may require proof of
the claim for the tax credit, and may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91.
(f) All of the provisions relating to assessments
and refunds under this chapter and under section 231-23(c)(1) shall apply to
the tax credit under this section.
(g) Claims for the tax credit under this section,
including any amended claims, shall be filed on or before the end of the twelfth
month following the taxable year for which the credit may be claimed.
(h) If the State or a county requires an automatic fire sprinkler system to be installed, no claim for a tax credit shall be allowed."
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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By Request |
Report Title:
State Fire Council Package; Fire Protection; Fire Sprinklers; Tax Credit
Description:
Establishes a tax credit of 30% of the actual cost, including installation, water meter, and permitting fees, of an automatic fire sprinkler system in any one- or two-family dwelling in a structure used only for residential purposes. Sunsets on 6/30/2030.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
