Bill Text: HI SB960 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Transient Vacation Rentals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-11 - The committee on CPH deferred the measure. [SB960 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-SB960-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	960
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to transient vacation rentals.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

transient vacation rentals

     §   -1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter:

     "Department" means the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

     "Director" means the director of commerce and consumer affairs.

     "Dwelling unit" means a structure, or part of a structure, for lease or rent which provides shelter.

     "Transient vacation rental" means a single-family dwelling unit, a multi-family dwelling unit, guest house, bed and breakfast establishment, room, apartment, or the like which is occupied for a fee by a transient occupant for less than one hundred eighty consecutive days.

     §   -2  Powers and duties of the director.  In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the director shall:

     (1)  Grant certificates of registration to legal transient vacation rental owners pursuant to this chapter;

     (2)  Adopt, amend, or repeal rules pursuant to chapter 91 as the director may deem proper to fully effectuate this chapter;

     (3)  Enforce this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant thereto;

     (4)  Fine, suspend, terminate, or revoke any registration for any cause prescribed by this chapter, or for any violation of the rules, and refuse to grant any registration for any cause that would be grounds for revocation, termination, or suspension of a registration; and

     (5)  Investigate the actions of any person or agency acting or alleged to be acting in the capacity of a registrant under this chapter.

     §   -3  Registration required.  (a)  No transient vacation rental shall operate or do business in this State without first registering with the director under this chapter and fulfilling all county requirements.

     (b)  Registration shall include:

     (1)  The name, address, and contact information of the owner of the legal transient vacation rental;

     (2)  A description of the subject property, including the tax map key number, street address, and name the property is known by, whether a unique property name for the property or an association or building name;

     (3)  Submission of a complete application for registration;

     (4)  Submission of a:

          (A)  Certificate of good standing or a certificate of authority from the department's business registration division;

          (B)  General excise tax license issued pursuant to chapter 237; and

          (C)  Transient accommodations tax registration number issued pursuant to chapter 237D;

     (5)  Payment of appropriate fees;

     (c)  No registration may be assigned, sold, leased, encumbered, or otherwise transferred, except upon the written application to and approval by the director.

     §   -4  Application for registration.  The director shall prescribe the form of the application for registration.  Each application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees.

     §   -5  Certificate of registration.  Each certificate of registration shall be in a form prescribed and signed by the director and issued in the name of the department.

     §   -6  Prohibited acts.  No owner of a transient vacation rental shall:

     (1)  Sell or advertise a transient vacation rental without first registering with the director under this chapter; or

     (2)  Otherwise violate any of the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

     §   -7  Penalty.  (a)  Any owner of a transient vacation rental who fails to comply with this chapter shall pay a civil penalty of $           for each separate offense; provided that following a warning issued by the director or an agent charged with the enforcement of this chapter, the owner shall be subject to a fine of $           for each separate offense.

     (b)  All fines shall be paid to the department and deposited into the compliance resolution fund under section 26‑9(o).

     §   -8  County authority.  The several counties through rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91 or ordinance may establish additional regulations for transient vacation rentals.

     §   -9  Transient vacation rentals database.  The department shall establish and maintain a publicly searchable database to be accessible at all times that permits a user to conduct a search by the owner's name, subject property, tax map key number, or unique property name."

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Transient Vacation Rentals; Registration; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Database; Compliance Resolution Fund

 

 

Description:

Requires registration of transient vacation rentals with the director of commerce and consumer affairs prior to operating or doing business in the State.  Permits certain nonconforming uses of transient vacation rentals.  Establishes penalties for noncompliance with registration requirements and allocates associated fines to the compliance resolution fund.  Authorizes the counties to impose additional regulations.  Creates searchable database.  Registration requirements effective January 1, 2020.

 

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.