STAND. COM. REP. 3233

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 1848

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1848, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EXCEPTIONAL TREES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help preserve Hawaii's natural environment by establishing a tax deduction for exceptional trees.

Your Committee finds that it is imperative that Hawaii's unique environment be maintained for current and future generations. An exceptional tree is a tree with historic or cultural value or a tree that is worthy of preservation based on its age, rarity, location, size, esthetic quality, or endemic status. These trees beautify communities, conserve energy, and clean the air we breathe. Your Committee recognizes the importance of exceptional trees and believes this measure will provide a tax incentive needed for property owners to designate, maintain, and safeguard any exceptional trees on their property.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the proposed tax deduction and replacing it with an authorization to the counties to establish a tax credit against county real property taxes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1848, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1848, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair