HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

255

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting that the tax review commission conduct a study on the projected net loss to Hawaii residents in their federal tax liability that is attributable to the manner in which the state and county governments are currently funded.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, Hawaii is one of the few states where the State pays for many services that would otherwise be paid for by county governments, such as the state educational system, ambulance services, hospitals, correctional facilities, and courts; and

 

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Article VII, section 3, of the Hawaii Constitution, "all functions, powers and duties relating to the taxation of real property shall be exercised exclusively by the counties, with the exception of the county of Kalawao"; and

 

     WHEREAS, as a result, services paid for by the State are not funded by real property tax revenues; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Code allows for the deduction of real property taxes because the Internal Revenue Code has been drafted on the assumption that, in most states, real property tax revenues would be used to fund these services; and

 

     WHEREAS, because real property taxes could potentially be lower in Hawaii since county governments theoretically do not have to pay for as many services as their mainland counterparts, Hawaii taxpayers may not benefit as greatly from federal tax deductions as mainland taxpayers; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Tax Review Commission is requested to study the projected net loss to Hawaii residents in their federal tax liability that is attributable to the manner in which the state and county governments are currently funded; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Tax Review Commission is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Tax Review Commission.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Tax Review Commission; Study of Hawaii Residents' Net Projected Loss on Federal Tax Liability