HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

574

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Pacific international space center for exploration systems' (PISCES) work in developing aerospace and terrestrial applications and technologies using basalt is a long-term economic benefit to Hawaii.  PISCES' work in basalt material sciences has resulted in: novel basalt-based materials that match and exceed commercial concrete strengths; additive laser manufacturing using basalt feedstock; and robotic construction of a landing pad made one hundred per cent out of basalt.  Furthermore, PISCES' continued work to expand and develop markets for products made using Hawaii's naturally occurring basalt should have a positive long-term impact on the demand for quarried basalt in Hawaii.

     The legislature recognizes that novel basalt-based materials are not only beneficial to aerospace for planetary exploration, but also have relevance and product applications to Hawaii.  PISCES' development of novel basalt materials and applications can foster growth in current industries while creating new industry sectors.  These new and varied demands for quarried basalt would increase and diversify present demand.

     The legislature also recognizes that the development of products in Hawaii, with state resources, can offset some of the State's dependence on imported materials and is a necessary step toward Hawaii's self-sustainability.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide PISCES with sustained, market-driven revenue to continue developing new basalt-based products and materials as a potential long-term benefit to the State's quarry and mining industry.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

BASALT MINING TAX

     §   -1  Taxes.  Every wholesaler or dealer of basalt cinder and trap rock shall pay, for the privilege of conducting business and other activities in the State and in addition to any other taxes provided by law, an excise tax equal to 0.2 per cent of the wholesale price of each item or article of basalt cinder and trap rock sold by the wholesaler or dealer, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer.

     §   -2  Disposition of revenues.  All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the basalt materials research account within the Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund and expended pursuant to section 201-80.2."

     SECTION 3.  Section 201-80.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.   By amending its title to read:

     "[[]§201-80.2[]]  Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund; basalt materials research account."

     2.   By amending subsection (c) to read:

     "(c)  [All moneys remaining in the Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund at the close of each fiscal year that are deemed, by the director of finance, to be in excess of the moneys necessary to carry out the purposes of this section in the next fiscal year shall lapse to the credit of the state general fund.]  There is established in the Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund a separate account to be known as the basalt materials research account into which shall be deposited basalt mining tax revenues collected and deposited into the account pursuant to section   -2; provided that moneys deposited into the account shall be used to support the Pacific international space center for exploration systems in its sustained and continued development of basalt-based products and materials."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2038; provided that on December 31, 2030, this Act shall be repealed and section 201-80.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day prior to the effective date of this Act.


 


 

Report Title:

Basalt Mining; Cinder; Trap Rock; Excise Tax; Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

 

Description:

Establishes an excise tax on basalt cinder and trap rock sold by wholesalers or dealers.  Provides that the excise tax is paid into the Basalt Materials Research Account within the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems Special Fund.  Sunsets December 31, 2030.  (HB574 HD1) 

 

 

 

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