The 2007 State Legislature has begun its work. Some two dozens bills
related to historic preservation were introduced by the deadline (last
Wednesday) and Historic Hawai'i Foundation is monitoring them. If you
would like to see the bills, status, and other information, it is
available at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp?press1=docs Search for "historic preservation."
The HHF Board of Trustees has adopted legislative goals for the year,
including supporting and creating a balance of preservation
incentives, regulations and public-private partnerships to encourage
the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties. Specific
legislative goals are:
1. State Income Tax Credit for Rehabilitation of Historic
Properties: Provide incentive for appropriate rehabilitation of
historic buildings through credits against state taxes.
2. Delay of Demolition for Historic Properties: Protect
structures and districts designated on the Hawai'i State or National
Registers of Historic Places by adding standards and procedures to
prevent or delay the demolition of historic buildings.
3. Appropriations for State Historic Preservation Division:
Increase operating and staffing fund levels for SHPD in order to
institute effective standards, efficient procedures and appropriate
staffing.
As these bills are scheduled for committee hearings, HHF will send out
action alerts to ask for testimony from individuals. The alerts will
include HHF's position on the bills, sample testimony and information
on how to submit testimony. Official testimony on behalf of Historic
Hawai'i Foundation will come from the Executive Director; we are
simply alerting our members to the issues and asking them to
participate as individuals.
How You Can Help
The first hearing has been scheduled on SB 708, which provides for a
state tax credit for rehabilitation of historic buildings, in the
Economic Development and Taxation Committee, tomorrow at 1:15 p.m
(Conference Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol, 1:15 p.m). HHF
strongly supports this bill. Written testimony is due TODAY (January
29, 2007). Even if you cannot attend, please fax in your written
support in the form of testimony to the committee.
Below is sample testimony for SB 708. Written testimony must be
submitted 24 hours in advance (in this case by 1:15 pm TODAY, 1/29).
It can be faxed (if less than 5 pages in length) to the Senate
Sergeant-At Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll-free
neighbor islands), or can be dropped off (30 copies) to the committee
clerk, Room 216, State Capitol. When faxing, please indicate to whom
the testimony is being submitted, the date and time of the hearing,
and the required number of copies needed for submittal. Include your
name, place of residence and phone number for verification.
You can also fax your testimony to Historic Hawai'i Foundation
(523-0800) if you would like us to make and distribute the copies to
the appropriate committees for you.
Thank you,
Kiersten
Kiersten Faulkner, AICP
Executive Director
Historic Hawai'i Foundation
680 Iwilei Road Suite 690
Honolulu, HI 96817
808-523-2900 (tel)
808-523-0800 (fax)
Kiers...@historichawaii.orghttp://www.historichawaii.org
_____________________________________________________
SAMPLE WRITTEN TESTIMONY - SB708
To: Senator Carol Fukunaga, Chair
Senator Will Espero, Vice-chair
Committee on Economic Development and Taxation
From:
Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
1:15 pm
Subject: Support of SB708, Relating to Taxation
I wish to offer my support of SB708, which proposes a tax credit for
the rehabilitation of historic structures. This bill will provide a
25% tax credit for qualifying expenses related to an appropriate
renovation of an historic building. These credits have the power to
preserve and enhance the character of our residential neighborhoods as
well as our business districts, provide quality housing, and to spur
economic growth.
Preservation tax credit programs have proven to be successful
incentives for rehabilitating older structures and returning them to
useful life. Preserving and using our historic buildings are the best
ways to enhance community character, provide an alternative to sprawl,
encourage heritage tourism and generally spur economic development in
older neighborhoods and commercial districts.
Tax credit programs have been used at the federal level and by over
half of the states. While the details of the programs vary by state,
they have been shown to be very effective, especially when coupled
with the 20% federal historic tax credit.
This proposed tax credit is a great incentive to the owners of
historic homes, as there is no commensurate federal credit for owner-
occupied residences. This aspect of the bill may encourage more
nominations of eligible properties, leading to a greater number of
preserved historic residences, which are presently disappearing at an
alarming rate.
Perhaps the most important result of this legislation will be
something that benefits us all - preserving the history and character
of Hawaii's landscapes, which, in this age of expansive development,
is becoming more precious each day.
I strongly urge this committee to provide additional incentive to
preserve Hawaii's past by passing SB708. Mahalo for this opportunity
to testify.
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