Bill to increase motor vehicle tax moves forward
from Grassroot Institute
With gasoline prices the highest in the nation, Hawaii drivers are now facing the prospect of paying more than double to register their vehicles as well.
Senate Bill 1329 in its current form will increase the cost to register an average car, which weighs up to 4,000 pounds, from $30.00 to $70.00 per year. This weight category goes from 0.75 cents per pound to 1.75 cents per pound, the highest tax rate increase of all motor vehicles. The heaviest vehicles, weighing more than 10,000 pounds will have their flat rate increased from $150 to $300 per year.
Lost in this measure is incentive to buy lighter, more fuel-efficient cars that cause less wear and tear on the roads than heavier vehicles.
The money is to go into the state highway fund, where hopefully, it will not get raided and transferred to the general fund.
To see the status of this bill, go to: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1329
SB1329 made it through the second crossover, meaning it is headed to a conference committee, where the public is not allowed to speak.
Passed Third Reading in Senate 3-8-11 with 24 ayes,
- Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Espero, Kidani, Kim, Ryan, Wakai.
- Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Slom).
- Excused, 0 (none).
Passed Third Reading in House 4-12-11 with 39 ayes,
- Representative(s) Cullen, Yamane voting aye with reservations;
- Representative(s) Belatti, Fontaine, Johanson, C. Lee, Marumoto, Morikawa, Pine, Takai, Thielen, Ward, Wooley voting no (11) and
- none excused (0).
While there will be no public testimony taken in the conference committee, there’s still time for citizens to let all legislators know what they think of this tax bill by sending emails to:
Or find your individual Senator or Representative at:
Start a discussion at http://www.HawaiiVotes.org or on HawaiiVotes Facebook.
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