Hawaii House Bill HB444

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/21
• Refer: 1/27/21

Caption

Proposing Amendments To Articles Viii And X Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Authorize The Legislature To Establish A Surcharge To Increase Funding For Public Education.

Impact

The proposed amendments would specifically alter Article VIII and Article X of the Hawaii Constitution, which govern taxation and public education. By permitting a surcharge on high-value residential investment properties (valued at two million dollars or greater) and visitor accommodations, the legislation seeks to enhance education resources and infrastructure. The funds generated would be allocated to various educational necessities, including the retention of qualified teachers, reduction of class sizes, improvement of educational facilities, and support for programs such as special education and technical training.

Summary

House Bill 444 proposes amendments to the Hawaii Constitution that would allow the state legislature to establish a surcharge on residential investment properties and visitor accommodations to generate additional funding for public education. This legislative initiative arises from long-standing concerns regarding the inadequate funding of Hawaii’s public schools, which has historically lagged behind national averages. With the state being responsible for public education—rather than local jurisdictions—the bill aims to create a stable funding mechanism to address the state's educational deficiencies.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits outlined in the bill, there are ongoing discussions regarding the fairness and implications of imposing this surcharge. Critics may argue that increasing taxes on residential investment properties could disproportionately affect landlords and, by extension, renters. Additionally, the success of this bill hinges on broader economic discussions about the taxation of tourism-related accommodations, which are a vital part of Hawaii’s economy. Thus, the bill could face challenges in balancing the need for educational funding with the impacts on property owners and the tourism industry.