Hawaii House Bill HCR21

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Revise Real Property Assessment Procedures For Kupuna.

Impact

The resolution proposes that the City and County of Honolulu amend how real property values are assessed for seniors, suggesting that instead of relying on market values, properties should be assessed based on their original purchase price, allowing for a minimal annual increase. Additionally, the resolution proposes a cap on the maximum annual property tax at three percent of the owner's annual income. This is intended to provide meaningful relief to kupuna, especially those who have not made significant improvements to their homes.

Summary

HCR21 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced in the 2025 session of the Hawaii legislature, urging the City and County of Honolulu to revise its real property assessment procedures specifically for 'kupuna', or seniors aged 60 and above. The resolution aims to address the challenges faced by many kupuna living on fixed incomes who are significantly impacted by rising real property taxes based on market value assessments. With the increasing cost of living, the existing tax burden has become an economic stressor for this demographic group.

Contention

There is potential for contention surrounding HCR21, particularly regarding how such changes could affect municipal budget revenues derived from property taxes. While proponents argue that the measure is necessary to provide relief for seniors, critics might raise concerns about the long-term implications for public services funded through property tax revenues. Balancing the financial needs of the local government with the welfare of kupuna may lead to debates among policymakers on prioritizing fiscal responsibilities versus social equity.