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SCR 81

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT COVERING A PORTION OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AT WAIALAE, HONOLULU, OAHU, FOR THE EXISTING DRAINAGE OUTLETS, AND FOR THE USE, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED THEREON.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang

Proposes raising the veterans’ property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years, with state reimbursements to municipalities.

Referred to WTL, WAM.
#blnr #drainageoutlets #easement #kahalahotelandresort
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Bill Summary · SCR 81

Summary — SCR 81

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase the veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500, phased in over four years.

Purpose / Intent

To raise the annual property tax deduction available to qualifying veteran homeowners (and their surviving spouses) from the current constitutional floor of $250 to $2,500, increasing property tax relief for veterans over a four‑year schedule.

Key provisions

  • Increases the constitutionally‑mandated veterans' property tax deduction on the following schedule:
    • Tax year 2025: $1,000
    • Tax year 2026: $1,500
    • Tax year 2027: $2,000
    • Tax year 2028 and thereafter: $2,500
  • Eligibility: homeowners who were honorably discharged from active service in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; a surviving spouse of a qualified veteran continues to be eligible after the veteran’s death.
  • Funding/reimbursement: State reimburses municipalities for the property tax loss attributable to the deduction; the fiscal analysis assumes statutory reimbursement equals 102% of the deduction amount (includes a 2% allowance for municipal administrative costs).
  • Because this is a proposed constitutional amendment, it would require voter approval to become effective.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: qualifying veteran homeowners and their surviving spouses.
  • Municipalities: experience an immediate property tax base loss but receive State reimbursements (net revenue gain per the fiscal analysis).
  • State budget: increased expenditures to reimburse municipalities through the Property Tax Relief Fund (or comparable State mechanism).

Fiscal impact (Office of Legislative Services estimates)

  • Estimated additional State costs (reimbursements plus 2% administrative allowance):
    • FY 2026: $89.0 million
    • FY 2027: $140.4 million
    • FY 2028: $186.0 million
    • FY 2029: $226.3 million (peak)
    • FY 2030: $214.1 million (decline expected thereafter)
  • Local net revenue gain (municipalities) projected to be modestly positive:
    • Peaks at about $4.4 million in FY 2029
  • Estimates assume the number of deduction recipients continues a recent downward trend (~5.4% annual decline), which moderates long‑term costs.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Classified as a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment; would require placement before voters for approval.
  • Introduced May 15, 2025 and (per provided status) was referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
  • Companion measure: ACR 58.
  • Background: The last voter‑approved increase of this deduction occurred in 1999 (from $50 to $250, phased over four years); the deduction has been $250 since 2003.

Prepared from committee report and the legislative fiscal estimate (Office of Legislative Services).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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