2016 Legislative Briefings

Keep Abreast of What the Legislature Is Doing to You

Although 2016 is an election year in which legislators traditionally tread lightly in the taxation arena, a few blockbusters may arise.  The teachers’ union has already said it wants a 1-point hike in the GET to fund education-related issues.  Other groups are talking about a 0.5% GET raise to create a long-term care system.  The counties, buoyed by a recent task force report, will be hungry for a greater share of the TAT…but at the same time are considering adopting the county surcharge because of 2015 legislation allowing them to jump on that train.  We’ll be following these issues and more at the Tax Foundation of Hawaii’s Legislative Briefings.

Also, as in previous years, we will have some coverage of employment-related concerns from the Hawaii Employers Council.  The Obama Administration’s Department of Labor is considering a significant boost in the exempt employee threshold, which may prompt state action to do the same.  Medical marijuana use, which has been publicized more than ever, is giving employers tough choices, and lawmakers may start reacting to them.

We have selected dates for our briefings to coincide with key dates of the legislative calendar.  The briefings, at the Pacific Club, begin at 7:30 a.m. (they should last no more than one hour each) and will include a continental breakfast.  The dates are:

• Wednesday, February 24, 2016 (After First Lateral)
• Tuesday, March 8, 2016 (After First Decking)
• Tuesday, April 12, 2016 (After Second Decking)
• Tuesday, May 17, 2016 (Final Wrap-Up)

Please see the event registration form for pricing and details.  If you have additional questions or require special accommodations, please call the Foundation’s staff at 808-536-4587.

Each session will qualify for one CPE credit for Hawaii CPAs. *

Register online via Google Forms (below) or print and mail the registration form.

* The Tax Foundation of Hawaii is registered with the Hawaii State Board of Public Accountancy as a sponsor of continuing professional education.  Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to:  Hawaii State Board of Public Accountancy, P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801, (808) 586-2696.