Urgently request testimony once again – for Bill HB1706
We are writing to ask owners to submit testimony for Bill HB1706 HD, which recently passed the House and is now in the Senate. On Wednesday March 28, the Consumer Protection Committee will hear testimony on HB1706 HD1 – a bill that will make it law to:
Requires owners of residential units who reside on a different island than the unit or out-of-state to provide the managing agent or resident manager of the condominium project with contact information of a rental agent located in the State who is responsible for the management of the property.
While we agree with the intent of this bill, we feel it leaves us with a few questions.
- We are concerned that the bill may be changed to reflect the rental agent be a licensed real estate profession.
- We believe that the term of rental agent should be changed to designated local contact.
How to submit testimony:
We are asking all owners to write testimony TODAY – Tuesday, March 27th:
• Please submit your testimony HB1706 on-line at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=hb&billnumber=1706
then click on the blue submit button
Or by sending an email to: CPNtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov (include 1706 HD1, Tourism Committee March 28th 9:30 am, your full name & address)
Some suggestions for writing testimony:
1) Be respectful
2) If you have a business name submit your testimony as an organization and list your business name.
3) Support paying tax – but express concern/oppose the insertion of property managers or realtors into the equation in any way
4) Consider including personal stories of experiences with property managers. Many of us have experiences that illustrate how they don’t screen guests as well as we do, how they can overbook, problems with billings and accounting. We are strong ambassadors for Hawaii.
5) Recommend enforcing Hawaii’s existing laws.
6) Ideally keep your testimony to under one page.
If you are able, it would be ideal to show up in person to deliver your testimony!
Mahalo
TEAM RBOAA
We have recently sent a request out for membership. While we have received a number of you committing to join, we have also received a few requests to explain who we are.
We are newly formed, Hawaii 501(c). We are comprised of owners from all over the country and Canada whom like yourself heard about the pending legislation way too late. We soon realized that we needed to get organized, inform fellow owners and get funded. We are all volunteers who strive to try and stop this current legislation before it becomes a costly legal battle for all of us and in the future watch for more type of this legislation at the onset.
I hope you will join us and keep sending in your testimonies.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Mahalo,
Danielle Gall
Membership Committee
membership@rboaa.org
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