Please, Read The Following Positive Resolution Adopted By The FULL HOUSE In 2005 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO.96 TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF REGULATING and LICENSING BED AND BREAKFAST HOMES AND TRANSIENT VACATION UNITS. WHEREAS, Hawaii's thriving economy depends on its reputation of being a desirable visitor destination, providing all types of accommodations for various types of visitors; and WHEREAS, the bed and breakfast home and transient vacation unit industry offers a home away from home setting for visitors to the islands who prefer the personal services and hospitality of these accommodations; and WHEREAS, the counties are not effectively addressing the issue of regulating these types of visitor accommodations, resulting in the loss of general excise or transient accommodations tax revenues, or both, and placing owners of these types of visitor accommodations in a tenuous position of not knowing what the future holds; and WHEREAS, those who have been operating legal bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units and paying their taxes deserve the peace of mind that their industry is being appropriately regulated; and WHEREAS, the bed and breakfast home and transient vacation unit industry recognizes that the counties are the appropriate governmental entity to regulate their industry; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the City and County of Honolulu, the County of Hawaii, the County of Maui, and the County of Kauai, are requested to determine and establish appropriate regulatory requirements for bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units in their respective counties, including the consideration of imposing a licensing fee to support the enforcement of county policy; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each county is requested to submit a report to the Legislature, no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2006, describing its action plan to institute such regulating requirements; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Council of each county. To introducer(s): CHANG, CHING, KARAMATSU, MAGAOAY, WAKAI, YAMASHITA, Abinsay Report Title: Bed and Breakfast; Transient Vacation Units. ************************************************* HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. 239 TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION requesting the counties to assess their current license and Permit application process for transient vacation rentals. WHEREAS, in 1989, the City and County of Honolulu (Honolulu C&C) established a moratorium on new permits for transient vacation rentals (TVR), such as bed and breakfasts; and WHEREAS, although the moratorium went into effect, it did not eliminate the demand for TVRs, which generally allow for a more neighborhood-based, intimate, and personal visitor experience; and WHEREAS, in addition to the demand for TVRs, the Honolulu C&C has not aggressively enforced the moratorium; and WHEREAS, the lack of enforcement coupled with the persistent visitor demand for TVRs has resulted in a situation where over 1,000 TVRs are estimated to be in operation outside of Waikiki, including both permitted and non-permitted TVRs; and WHEREAS, due to strong concerns voiced by many residents regarding the negative impacts of non-permitted TVRs, Honolulu C&C has been pressured to strengthen its enforcement of the moratorium; and WHEREAS, Honolulu C&C has chosen an enforcement method that depends on residents to report on their neighbors concerning suspicious TVR activity to be effective; and WHEREAS, this enforcement policy has resulted in divided neighborhoods and rising tension and animosity between neighbors who support tough enforcement of TVR ordinances and regulations, and those who do not; and WHEREAS, in addition to the rising animosity between the two sides of the debate, there also exists a concern that the State and Honolulu C&C may be operating under conflicting priorities; and WHEREAS, the State may prioritize the increase in revenue and economic activity that alternative tourism venues provide, while Honolulu C&C may be primarily focused on shutting down TVRs opened since the moratorium; and WHEREAS, the result of this potential conflict may mean that the critical issue of how to best address non-permitted TVRs will not be resolved; and WHEREAS, the issues raised by non-permitted TVRs are already complex and evoke passionate responses from the stakeholders involved; and WHEREAS, it is imperative that a rational, measured, thoughtful, and reasoned analysis and discussion regarding non-permitted TVRs take place; and WHEREAS, this issue, though focused on Honolulu C&C, is not limited in scope to one county, and affects communities in every county of the State; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the counties are requested to assess their current license and permit application process for TVRs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Honolulu C&C is requested to also reassess its 1989 moratorium on TVR permits; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the counties, in their respective assessments, explore ways to provide opportunities for individuals and businesses to obtain the necessary permits and licenses to operate TVRs legally; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the counties encourage stakeholders on both sides of the issue to work together with county-related entities such as the Hawaii State Association of Counties to develop ways to address this issue that are acceptable to all parties involved; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayors of Honolulu C&C and the Counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii. OFFERED BY: CHONG