HB 84 - State Bill Proposes Phase Out for Counties

There are a number of bills we are watching at the state legislature. There is one bill moving through, House Bill 84, that is of particular concern.

The Hawaii State Legislature is currently evaluating new legislation that could significantly affect your short-term rental property. House Bill 84 proposes giving Hawaii counties the power to phase out "permitted, nonconforming, or otherwise allowed" short-term rentals in any zoning classification. This legislation could jeopardize the future operations of responsible short-term rental owners across Hawaii. (You can see the exact language below)

This bill proposes to alter current property rights and laws. On February 14th at 8:30 AM HST, the Hawaii House Committee on Water & Land will hold a hearing on HB 84. It is crucial that you make your voice heard in opposition to this legislation by providing testimony. Please be clear, succinct, and respectful in your comments.
What can you do?

If you have a property that could be affected by this measure, or work with folks that do, or work in the hospitality and vacation accommodations industry, please reach out to your state legislators, and send or give testimony at this meeting.

Item you are commenting on is HB-84 at the Hawaii House Committee on Water & Land. This is the Agenda:

Meeting of February 14, 2023 8:30 AM will be held virtual online and you can submit written testimony or testify over their virtual system.

You must first create a login and follow these instructions:

1. Testify Remotely (Virtual)
To testify remotely, you must register first. To register, click here.
  • Instructions:Follow the instructions above for in-person testimony.
  • Under the section that asks, “How will you be testifying?”, select “Remotely via Zoom & submitting written testimony”.
  • Complete the remainder of the form and click “Submit”.
2. Submit Written Testimony:
If you are unable to testify in-person or remotely, we encourage you to submit written testimony in opposition to HB 84. To do so, you will need to register first. To register, click here.
  • Instructions: DEADLINE for submission of written testimony is 24 HOURS before the hearing.
  • Follow all instructions above for in-person or remote testimony until you are asked “How will you be testifying?”, select “Written testimony only”.
  • Complete the remainder of the form and click “Submit”.
Language in Proposed Bill HB 84
Some Talking Points for Bill HB 84
  • Short-term rentals have a significant impact on families and the local economy. By providing lodging to visitors, they support families and stimulate the local economy as visitors spend money at local restaurants, shops, and small businesses.
  • Short term rentals play a significant role in outer island economies, bringing in 37% of real property tax in Maui County, and more than 15% of the entire Maui county operating budget.
  • Short-term rentals also benefit the state of Hawaii by generating tax revenue from taxes such as the general excise tax and transient accommodation tax.
  • During times of inflation and rising prices, short-term rentals provide essential economic support for local families and the broader community.
  • They are not only a valuable option for mainland visitors but also for local families traveling within the state.
  • Short-term rental owners and operators are committed to responsible practices and fair regulations. They support a balanced approach to addressing challenges and a collaborative approach with local stakeholders.
  • Achieving a sustainable future in Hawaii requires cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders. Short-term rentals play a crucial role in allowing families to benefit from the tourism industry.

  • HB 84 is a source of worry for families who rely on their short-term rental properties for their livelihoods. The provisions in this bill threaten the ability of responsible property owners to continue operating their businesses and renting their homes to visitors, traveling nurses, and other essential workers.
  • If passed, this bill could take away property rights guaranteed to owners when they purchased their homes. The outcome could be devastating for responsible property owners who could lose their businesses.
  • I urge the Hawaii State Legislature to take into account the perspectives of residents who are directly impacted by this legislation. Our livelihoods are dependent on our small businesses, and the decision-making process should not move forward without giving due consideration to the input from the community.
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If you have any questions please feel free to email me
at jenrusso@mauivacationrentalassociation.org or call me at 808-280-3286.

Mahalo

Jen Russo
MVRA needs you now more than ever. Our voices are stronger together. We continue to advocate for the Vacation Rental industry in this challenging landscape. With our local government discriminating against rentals with no good cause, and proposing to pass legislation that reduces or eliminates property rights our work is more important that ever before. Since 2001 Maui Vacation Rental Association has been the non profit publicly supporting the rights of Maui property owners, small businesses, management companies, and managers. We know our work is more critical than ever. Thank you for supporting, engaging and being a part of this organization. 
We are actively watching the administration’s activities and remain concerned about discrimination against vacation rentals as well as threatened property rights. If you want to continue fighting for your property rights to be a vacation rental on Maui then please consider contributing to our legal fund. We continue to work on the legal arguments, phone calls, relationships and strategies for keeping your businesses from being discriminated against during the pandemic and into the future. Please join our legal fund today by clicking here to contribute so that we can continue to be well prepared. Mahalo to those who have contributed already.