There are 6 Power of Sale Bills with the agenda to force the sale of private property. based on civil fines. The County wants to cut off the judicial court process.
These Bills violate basic Constitution civil rights. These Non-Judicial requests turns the counties in Police, Prosecutor, Jury, Judge, and Executioner.
They also assume that the city is always right and the people always wrong.
Below are the 3 active Bills asking for Non-Judicial Foreclosure: To sell private properties without going to court.City wants to levy civil fines and the powers to sell.
Authorizes counties, after adoption of an ordinance, to sell private property after all notices, orders, and appeal proceedings are exhausted and to use those revenues to pay unpaid civil fines related to that property; provided that the county sells the property at not less than the market value of similarly situated properties and that all revenues received from the sale that exceed the amount of the unpaid civil fines are refunded to the property owner. (SD1)
Authorizes the State and the counties to place liens on real properties for unpaid civil fines resulting from violations of land use laws. Authorizes the State and counties, subject to adoption of appropriate and particular laws or rules establishing the power of sale, to sell properties after all notices, orders, and appeal proceedings, if any, are exhausted and use those revenues to pay unpaid civil fines related to property. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)
Authorizes counties, after adoption of an ordinance, to sell private property after all notices, orders, and appeal proceedings are exhausted and to use those revenues to pay unpaid civil fines related to that property. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)
You can register testimony to OPPOSE HB538 or SUPPORT HB 538.
The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-17-23 3:02PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference
Measure Title:
RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY.
Report Title:
Residential Real Property; Counties; Zoning Violation; Penalties
Description:
Establishes penalties for failure to remediate violations, including fines and, under circumstances, foreclosure. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)
Aloha to all,
I know you have too much to read and digest in such a short time. 3132 bills for this session is insane! Which human can carefully analyze all these bills carefully for decision-making and study its overall impacts, unforeseen or unintended consequences?
Before we go further, I’m sharing a few excerpts from the recent Supreme Court ruling relating to the US Constitution 14th Amendment. It relates to HB 538 (and SB 875 & HB 15) about CIVIL fines, Due Process, and so on.
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said it best in one of her last Opinions for the US Supreme Court in Timbs vs Indiana relating to excessive CIVIL fines and Due Process. Below are some of jurist RBG’s messages to all of us from the grave:
“This Court has held that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause incorporates the protections contained in the Bill of Rights, rendering them applicable to the States.”
“For good reason, the protection against excessive fines has been a constant shield throughout Anglo-American history: Exorbitant tolls undermine other constitutional liberties. Excessive fines can be used, for example, to retaliate against or chill the speech of political enemies, as the Stuarts’ critics learned several centuries ago.”
” Protection against excessive fines has been a constant shield throughout Anglo-American history for good reason: Such fines undermine other liberties. They can be used, e.g., to retaliate against or chill the speech of political enemies. They can also be employed, not in service of penal purposes, but as a source of revenue. The historical and logical case for concluding that the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates the Excessive Fines Clause is indeed overwhelming.”
“Even absent a political motive, fines may be employed “in a measure out ofaccord with the penal goals of retribution and deterrence,” for “fines are asource of revenue,”
” In short, the historical and logical case for concluding that the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates the Excessive Fines Clause is overwhelming. Protection against excessive punitive economic sanctions secured by the Clause is, to repeat, both “fundamental to our scheme of ordered liberty” and “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition.”
Punishments and Penalties
When you’re in a position of power, it’s even more incumbent on you to be much more circumspect and focused in your decision-making. It might be fun or satisfying to punish the supposed egregious ones. But it doesn’t mean that the US Constitution can become marginalized to punish them. It’s never a good policy to burn down the Cathedral of Civil Rights to fry a few bad eggs.
Civil Rights is Civil Rights. You can’t protect abortion civil rights but destroy private property rights. You must uphold and protect the US Constitution that you swore to do. The Constitution has protected equality, justice, and Due Process for over 200 years!
It appears the HB 538 introducers must not know about the challenges of working with DPP or getting a permit to be approved by DPP.
One has to question how a small lot in Kalihi Heights can be fined for $15.8 million for “overgrown weeds”. This local owner is a 50% Hawaiian man with chronic and severe health problems. There is much more to this situation here.
Where is the Aloha?
Where is the compassion to help our local residents who are already struggling and trying to keep up with the cost of living in Hawaii?
I hope this Star Advertiser report of “uncashed fines” is not giving any counties ideas for a new stream of income and future revenues.
There are always two sides to a story. The government is here to help, not to steal people’s homes and properties.
Most people work their tails off and sacrificed to own properties in Hawaii.
Who can trust DPP?
This is nothing personal. But these few clips will provide you a quick overview of what’s happening at the Department of Planning and Permitting. DPP is struggling. Its workers are overloaded. Through the years, the Mayors and City Councils have also contributed to these modern day problems by their actions.
Through the years, land-use density has been greatly increased. It used to be that an owner could not build on more than 50% of their total land area.
Why blame the Monster Homes when it was DPP who approved the permits in the first place?
Excessive Fines and Cruel & Unusual Punishments
HB 583 is off-based. It may have some “egregious” owners in mind to punish but there are too much unforeseen consequences.
HB 538 is out of touch with the majority of the private property owners, construction and real estate world.
These timelines are too impractical and oppressive.
HB 538 assumes that DPP is always right and the public is always wrong.
Manipulating the social media has become an art form. I’m going to choose one television ad which is airing relentlessly on corporate TV programs here in Hawaii. These ads are very expensive to run. Obviously, only candidates with a big campaign money chest can afford this.
I will choose this one that touches Hawaii’s ongoing problems with housing. Watch this first – Green’s political ad about “affordable housing” problems.
Lt. Gov. Green’s huge promise is this: “Under no circumstances should any one have to leave Hawaii because they cannot afford a home.”
It’s truly very sad for sure. Billions of dollars have been allocated for housing through the years. Green has been at the State Capitol for 18 years.
Is Green exploiting the plight of residents?
How is Green going to promise a home for every one? He already owes so much to the construction corporations and lobbyists.
Let’s critique this for the sake of conversation and questioning political ads. Decide whether the candidate is honest about this housing issue.
We will critique the cinematography in this 30-seconds political ad.
“Cinematography, the art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves such techniques as the general composition of a scene; the lighting of the set or location; the choice of cameras, lenses, filters, and film stock; the camera angle and movements; and the integration of any special effects.“
GREEN:“We have a housing crisis in the state of Hawaii, and I have a plan to do something about it. I will make historic investments to build affordable homes for working families so they can stay in Hawaii.”
Stage 1 – This campaign ad has chosen a good-looking couple with a child living in a small unit. They are saying it is very sad that they cannot afford to live in Hawaii.
The video moves to construction workers. There is an insert to lead you to his campaign website.
Another insert of action and activity. And again leading the viewers to Green’s campaign website.
The camera angle is now focused on the young mother’s sad face.
The camera angle moves to a close-up to show tears welling in this young mother’s eyes.
The camera then pulls a distance shot. Note the women are dressed in aloha mu’u mu’u wear. There are people of different ages and races.
This video ends with LG Green promising: “Under no circumstances should any one have to leave Hawaii because they cannot afford a home.”
Is Green manipulating and exploiting the plight and worries of our residents?
Are you moved to vote for him?
It’s just as interesting to read the comments in his Facebook page. The first comment is from a Top fan:
Top fan Peter YoungThis is a powerful commercial… congratulations. This is the true Josh Green… honest and caring!
Eberhart HaniWhat does this mean? You would have to build massive public housing blocs to make even the smallest dent. Is there a way to reduce the cost of building a new house? Can we go back to the single wall construction method of the past? So many of those houses are still standing and being enjoyed after decades of use since the sugar industry days. Would it be better to invest in and import lumber on a large scale? What about fast-tracking ADU’s? What about promoting tiny houses, container houses and yurts? What IS your plan?
Ann T. TutuGoing back to the days 30 years ago when there was some government support for small time landlords would be a great improvement because right now as it is with the landlord squatter’s code, There is absolutely no help whatsoever for the poor landlord who’s getting ripped off by a tenant who never pays anything. They know the system and it costs the landlord thousands of dollars to get rid of them and get some income coming again from me from the rental house. Frankly I’m tired of the government building the houses for the homeless let’s go back to the time when things were fair for landlords too.
The
City and County of Honolulu City Council adopted Bill 89 and Bill 85 on June
17, 2019 after many long and contentious hearings.
Honolulu
Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Bill 89 into law on June 25, 2019. On July 3, the
City Council chose not to address Bill 85 Veto.
Here is the
information provided by the Department of Planning and Permitting:
June 21, 2019
City Department of Planning and Permitting
New
Regulations on Short-Term Rentals
Bill 89 CD2
was adopted by City Council on Monday, June 17. It is awaiting action by Mayor
Kirk Caldwell. Its main points:
_Allows a limited number of new Bed and Breakfast Homes
(B&B) in non-resort areas under a new registration process, with annual
renewal required.
_Continues to prohibit Transient Vacation Units, or
“unhosted” rentals, in non-resort areas, unless the dwelling has a
Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).
_Regulates hosting platforms, such as Expedia or Airbnb,
requiring monthly reports to be filed with the Department of Planning and
Permitting, which will share the information with City Council.
_Makes
illegal any form of advertising short-term rentals which are not in compliance
with zoning regulations as provided in Bill 89. Bill 89 CD2:
http://bit.ly/2Kt9Qu9
The following
Questions and Answers are based on the assumption that Bill 89 CD2 will shortly
be enacted into law.
ADVERTISING
I own an
unhosted, “whole house,” or Transient Vacation Unit. I pay taxes. Can I
continue to advertise online and in the local newspaper?
Only if the
dwelling has a NUC or is located in a resort district.
When will
the department start enforcing the new advertising restrictions?
Beginning
August 1, 2019.
What are
the fines for illegal advertising?
Owners of the
property involved in illegal advertising will be notified, and if the
advertisement is taken down in 7 days, no fine will be imposed for a first
offense. If not taken down within this deadline, fines of between $1,000 and
$10,000 can be imposed for each day the advertisement remains on display.
If the management company
for my property places an illegal ad, will the company get cited?
They may be cited, but Bill 89
CD2 says, “The burden of proof is on the owner of the subject real property to
establish that the property is not being used as a bed and breakfast home or
transient vacation unit or that the advertisement was placed without the
property owner’s knowledge or consent.”
REGISTRATION OF NEW BED AND
BREAKFAST HOMES
I have been operating a Bed
and Breakfast Home for several years. Do I still have to obtain a registration
number?
Yes, unless you have a NUC.
I only rent out my house for
more than 30 days at a time. Do I need to register?
No.
I only rent my house while
my family spends 2 weeks each year visiting family on the mainland. Do I need
to register? When can I register?
Registration will begin no
sooner than October 1, 2020.
Why do we have to wait more
than year to register?
The time is required for the
Department to develop more specific procedures for implementing Bill 89 CD2,
including the adoption of rules, and creating the software to help with
enforcement and the registration process. If necessary, it provides time to
acquire more staff and to train them.
What are the registration
requirements?
There are more than a dozen
requirements. Most notable:
_Applicants must be “natural persons,” and not an organization or company
_Applicants must have a home exemption granted under real property tax law
_There must be insurance coverage for bed and breakfast use
_The initial registration fee is $1,000. For annual renewals, the fee is $2,000
_No more than 2 bedrooms can be used for visitor accommodations
_Quiet hours must be observed between 10 pm and 8 am
_If part of a homeowners or apartment owners association, approval by that
association must be obtained
_Neighbors within 250 feet
must be given a phone number to contact to make complaints 24 hours a day
For the complete list of
requirements, refer to Bill 89 CD2: http://bit.ly/2Kt9Qu9 3
Are there other
requirements?
Density Limit.
No more than 0.5% of the total number of dwelling units in each regional
development plan area (DPA) can be used as B&Bs. Here are the limits by
area:
New B&Bs are not allowed in
the North Shore area, based on directives of the North Shore Sustainable
Communities Plan: http://bit.ly/2Y4QpLg
Condominium Limit. Up to 50% of
units in a condominium building may be allowed a B&B, subject to AOAO
approval.
Nontransferable. Registration
numbers are not transferable to another property, nor transferable to another
homeowner.
Separation Minimum. B&Bs
must be at least 1,000 feet from each other. This does not apply to units in
resort areas and NUCs.
Renewal Criteria. Noise and
other nuisance complaints can be grounds to deny renewal requests.
It is not yet determined. An
online registration process is anticipated, but certain requirements will have
to be verified; e.g. compliance with parking requirements.
If only a
limited number of registration numbers will be given out, how can I guarantee
to get one?
There is no
provision for guarantees.
How will it
be determined who gets a registration number?
Generally on
first-come, first-served basis. If the number of requests exceeds the limit for
a DPA, then a lottery will be held.
How will
the lottery system work?
This will be
fleshed out in the Rules. There will be a public hearing on the draft Rules
before they are finalized.
I am
currently operating a B&B, and do not have a NUC, so will need to register.
Will I get priority in the registration process?
No.
Can I
advertise and operate a short-term rental once I register?
No. To avoid a
citation, operation cannot occur until the registration process has been
completed and registration number issued.
MORE
INFORMATION
Note that
DPP has not mentioned about the property tax designation to “Resort”. It’s
unclear whether it would be based only on the two bedrooms of a home.