FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                March 1, 2006

Release No. M-20-06

MAYOR SIGNS FIVE BILLS INTO LAW

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann has signed into law the following bills:

·                 Bill 68 (2005), CD1, authorizing mopeds to park at bicycle racks on City sidewalks where signs permit it. The moped can’t be ridden on the sidewalk. This bill addresses a common complaint from moped riders about the difficulty finding appropriate and secure parking.

·                  Bill 77 (2005), CD1, which requires all new City facilities larger than 5,000 square feet to meet a minimum LEED Silver Standard of environmentally sensitive design when feasible or appropriate,  beginning in fiscal year 2008. LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization that champions environmentally sensitive building designs and construction.  The advantages of meeting the standard are less construction debris; lower energy requirements; improved worker productivity and health because of better indoor air quality.  A LEED building, though initially more expensive, is supposed to save money over the life of the building.

·                 Bill 1 (2005), CD1, FD1, which doubles the basic homeowner’s property tax exemption from the current $40,000 to $80,000 for owner-occupants up to 64 years old. Owner-occupants 65 and older would be eligible for a homeowner’s exemption of $120,000. This bill would replace the current system, where the standard $40,000 exemption increases in five-year steps beginning at $60,000 for property owners age 55 and older, up to $120,000 for those 70 and older.

·                 Bill 66 (2005), CD1, FD1, adjusting the filing requirement for persons 75 and older with low-income super-exemptions on property taxes. Rather than reapply annually, the bill would require them to reapply every five years up to the age of 90. After age 90, they would not have to reapply.

·                 Bill 80 (2005), FD1, CD1, provides a tax credit for owners granted a property tax home exemption where titleholders have an aggregate income of no more than $50,000. Eligible owners would receive a tax credit for any amount that exceeds 4 percent of their income.

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Contact:

            Bill Brennan, 527-6928

            Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767