House Finance Committee Passes “TAT” Increase for Maui

State House of Representatives. PC: House Democrats

The House Finance Committee today passed Senate Bill 648 SD1 HD1, which increases the amount of the Transient Accommodations Tax or “TAT” revenues for the neighbor islands.

Under the amendment, neighbor island TAT revenues increase by 63%.  For Maui that means there’s and additional $15 million in TAT revenues, going from the current $23.4 million to $38.3 million.

The amended bill provides an additional $36 million to support projects essential for neighbor island residents including:

Increasing Kaua‘i’s TAT revenues from $14,935,000 to $24,360,000.
Increasing Maui’s TAT revenues from $23,484,000 to $38,304,000.
Increasing Hawai‘i Island’s TAT revenues from $19,158,000 to $31,248,000.

The TAT amount for the City & County of Honolulu is unchanged for a total of $45.4 million per year.

During the 2017 Special Legislative Session, lawmakers voted to raise the TAT by 1% to immediately address the shortfall of Oʻahu’s rail project. At that time House leaders discussed the possibility of revisiting proposals to increase TAT revenues for the neighbor islands.

The TAT is paid by hotel guests to the State and allocated to several groups, including the counties, to pay for visitor released expenses.

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki credited neighbor island Representatives with working to find ways to provide more funding for the neighbor islands. Saiki said this bill is a product of their discussions.

“During the special session last summer, our neighbor island Representatives were concerned about the need to increase the counties’ share of the TAT,” said Saiki (McCully, Kāheka, Kakaʻako, Downtown). “This proposal will provide much needed financial support for the neighbor islands.”

“The proposal provides more state funding for our Maui community,” said Representative Justin H. Woodson (Kahului, Pū‘ūnēnē, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani). “This significant increase in funds will go a long way to help provided needed services throughout Maui County.”

Representative Kaniela Ing (Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena) said this is a win-win for Maui residents because it provides additional funding almost entirely paid for by tourists.

“This increase in the TAT share for the neighbor islands will help us deal with tourism impacts such as paying for police, firefighters, parks and other infrastructure,” said Ing. “Now it is up to the counties to decide how to use this money to benefit residents and visitors.”

Representative Kyle Yamashita (Spreckelsville, Pukalani, Makawao, Kula, Ulupalakua, Keokea, Kahului) said it was team effort to pass this bill.

“I want to thank all my colleagues for working together and making the TAT more equitable,” said Yamashita.