STAND. COM. REP. NO. 715

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1163

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1163 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII HISTORIC PRESERVATION SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to specify that the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund may be administered by the Comptroller, with an advisory group, to repair and maintain historic government properties, except properties maintained through a separate, dedicated funding source.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that some of the most significant historic properties in Hawaii are under the jurisdiction and stewardship of the State. These places are icons for residents and visitors. The dedicated and diversified funding source provided in this measure would allow for the appropriate maintenance and care for and the long-term sustainability of these precious public assets.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Keeping the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund under the administration of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, instead of transferring it to the Department of Accounting and General Services;

(2) Deleting the proposed advisory committee for the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund;

(3) Specifying that one percent of certain state fund appropriations for capital improvements designated for the construction cost element of the construction or renovation of state buildings must be deposited into the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund;

(4) Establishing a grant program to assist owners of certified historic structures that are privately owned who do not qualify for an income tax credit under section 235-110.97, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(5) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(6) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1163, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1163, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair