REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION TO ESTABLISH A VACANT HOMES SURCHARGE TASK FORCE TO RESEARCH AND REPORT ON THE IMPACTS AND IMPLEMENTATIONS OF A GENERAL EXCISE TAX SURCHARGE ON VACANT HOMES.

HCR 150 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Taxation to establish a task force to study implementing a surcharge on vacant residential properties. The task force, including the Taxation Director, Business Development Director, and Housing Finance Executive Director, must research the impacts and implementation of a surcharge similar to provisions in HB 489 (which proposes a tax on homes vacant 180+ days annually). The group must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by September 2025, ahead of the 2026 session. This resolution does not enact the surcharge but seeks research to inform future policy.