Government Affairs Update
February 15 , 2008
Friday, February 15 is known as "first lateral deadline" whereby a bill that has been referred to multiple committees must be heard and passed out to the final committee. With many deadlines in a legislative session, tremendous pressure is added to hear a bill, don't hear a bill, pass it out, don't pass it out, or defer it in committee.
If a bill does not meet a deadline, that bill is no longer viable for passage. Some real estate related bills that did not meet the "first lateral dealine" include:
- SB2046 & HB2120 require regular surveys of residents of residential buildings on medical needs and issues.
- SB2123 allows counties to enact ordinances to regulate the amount of rent increase for residential apartment buildings.
- HB2657 regulates tenant screening agencies.
- HB2833 that allows the redesignation of certain residential subdivisions in the agricultural district into the rural district, subject to certain criteria.
- SB2297 imposes the general excise tax on the value of the work performed by owners-builders on their residences.
- SB2392 & HB2733 assess a graduated anti-speculation tax on the capital gains realized on real property held for less than 24 months before sold.
- SB2802 requires landlords to add 6% interest to security deposits returned to tenants and to maintain security deposits and any interest accruing thereto in trust or separate accounts.
To view some bills of interest that are still alive...
> Go to Testimonies
2008 ELECTION FEVER
Another interesting race.
- Sen. Gordon Trimble, D-12th (Downtown, Waikiki, Ala Moana) may face either former Democratic Party Chairperson Brickwood Galuteria or former lawmaker Duke Bainum.
COMMENTS
You can submit comments or feedback on a bill by sending an email to har@hawaiirealtors.com with subject line "GAC Comments".
For the most current and detailed information on bills, go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov for bill status and descriptions.