HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

176

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON FIXED INCOMES OR WHOSE EARNINGS FALL IN THE LOW- TO MIDDLE-INCOME BRACKETS.

 

 

WHEREAS, local property owners who purchased homes that were within their economic capacity with the intent to live in them for the rest of their lives, find that the fair market valuation of their homes for real property tax purposes in a real estate boom reflect a valuation that is substantially beyond their economic earning capacity; and

WHEREAS, retired seniors on fixed incomes and working residents in low- to middle-income earning brackets are valued, contributing members of our society; and

WHEREAS, many retired seniors on fixed incomes work as volunteers at hospitals, museums, parks and schools which add to the State's economy by relieving the counties and the State and non-profit organizations of many financial burdens; and

WHEREAS, many working people, in low- to middle-income brackets, are raising families and caring for elder relatives as well as actively participating in their communities, and are an integral part of the service and tax base of the State; and

WHEREAS, these contributing members of our society are faced with the possible loss of their homes because of escalating real property taxes and must be provided with relief; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the counties are urged to provide real property tax relief to local residents on fixed incomes or earnings in the low- to middle-income brackets so that they are not forced from their homes because of burdensome real property taxes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the counties are requested to consider alternative payment options for real property tax payments, such as allowing local real property owners the option, based on their income, to defer a portion of their annual real property taxes until the sale or transfer of their property, at which time the accumulated deferred property taxes would be remaindered to the counties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor and Chairperson of the Council of each county.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Property Tax Relief