Bill Text: HI HB231 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating To Taxation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-01 - Carried over to 2020 Regular Session. [HB231 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HB231-Introduced.html

---

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	231
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to taxation.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the nation.  According to the United States Census Bureau, Hawaii's domestic migration problem is worsening, with 13,537 more persons moving away from Hawaii than moving into the State during the 2016-2017 fiscal year.  Such out-migration has more than doubled since 2014-2015, when Hawaii saw a population loss of 6,700 persons.

Hawaii's high cost of living creates economic precarity for working families.  A survey conducted in 2016 highlighted that forty-nine per cent of respondents said that they lack sufficient funds to cover monthly expenses.  Moreover, the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach report for 2018 found that a minimum-wage worker in the Honolulu metropolitan statistical area would need to work 109 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom rental home at fair market rent and 143 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition's 2018 Hawaii Housing Profile, nineteen per cent of renter households qualify as extremely low income, with sixty-five per cent of extremely low-income renter households spending more than half of their income on housing costs and utilities.  One way of easing the cost burden borne by renters, therefore, would be to increase Hawaii's income tax credit for low-income household renters, the value of which has not been raised since 1981 and the income eligibility cutoff for which has not been adjusted since 1989.

Act 107, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, established a nonrefundable earned income tax credit.  A refundable tax credit means that a person's income tax liability can be reduced to zero and any unused credit is refunded.  Unlike the state earned income tax credit, the federal earned income tax credit is refundable.  Two-thirds of families in Hawaii who are eligible for the State's earned income tax credit do not benefit because this tax credit is nonrefundable.

The purpose of this Act is to address the impact of Hawaii's high cost of living on working families by:

     (1)  Increasing the state tax credit for renters earning less than $60,000 per year and linking future increases to the consumer price index;

     (2)  Making the state earned income tax credit refundable;

     (3)  Increasing the state food/excise tax credit by specified amounts and linking future increases to the consumer price index;

     (4)  Adjusting various income tax rates; and

     (5)  Minimizing the adverse budgetary effect of increasing tax credits for working families by raising income taxes for high-income taxpayers.

     SECTION 2.  Section 235-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a), (b), and (c) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every:

     (1)  Taxpayer who files a joint return under section 235-93; and

     (2)  Surviving spouse,

a tax determined in accordance with the following table:

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $4,000              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $4,000 but              $56.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $8,000              excess over $4,000

          Over $8,000 but              $184.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $16,000             excess over $8,000

          Over $16,000 but             $624.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $24,000             excess over $16,000

          Over $24,000 but             $1,136.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $32,000             excess over $24,000

          Over $32,000 but             $1,680.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $40,000             excess over $32,000

          Over $40,000 but             $2,256.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $60,000             excess over $40,000

          Over $60,000 but             $3,776.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $80,000             excess over $60,000

          Over $80,000                 $5,356.00 plus 8.25% of

                                         excess over $80,000.

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2006:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $4,800              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $4,800 but              $67.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $9,600              excess over $4,800

          Over $9,600 but              $221.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $19,200             excess over $9,600

          Over $19,200 but             $749.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $28,800             excess over $19,200

          Over $28,800 but             $1,363.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $38,400             excess over $28,800

          Over $38,400 but             $2,016.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $48,000             excess over $38,400

          Over $48,000 but             $2,707.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $72,000             excess over $48,000

          Over $72,000 but             $4,531.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $96,000             excess over $72,000

          Over $96,000                 $6,427.00 plus 8.25% of

                                         excess over $96,000.

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $4,800              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $4,800 but              $67.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $9,600              excess over $4,800

          Over $9,600 but              $221.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $19,200             excess over $9,600

          Over $19,200 but             $749.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $28,800             excess over $19,200

          Over $28,800 but             $1,363.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $38,400             excess over $28,800

          Over $38,400 but             $2,016.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $48,000             excess over $38,400

          Over $48,000 but             $2,707.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $72,000             excess over $48,000

          Over $72,000 but             $4,531.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $96,000             excess over $72,000   Over $96,000 but $6,427.00 plus 8.25% of

            not over $300,000             excess over $96,000

          Over $300,000 but             $23,257.00 plus 9.00% of

            not over $350,000             excess over $300,000

          Over $350,000 but            $27,757.00 plus 10.00% of

            not over $400,000             excess over $350,000

          Over $400,000                $32,757.00 plus 11.00% of

                                         excess over $400,000.

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2019:

If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

Not over $4,800              1.40% of taxable income

Over $4,800 but              $67.00 plus 3.20% of

not over $9,600              excess over $4,800

Over $9,600 but              $221.00 plus 5.50% of

not over $19,200             excess over $9,600

Over $19,200 but             $749.00 plus 6.40% of

not over $28,800             excess over $19,200

Over $28,800 but             $1,363.00 plus 6.80% of

not over $38,400             excess over $28,800

Over $38,400 but             $2,016.00 plus 7.20% of

not over $48,000             excess over $38,400

Over $48,000 but             $2,707.00 plus 7.60% of

not over $72,000             excess over $48,000

Over $72,000 but             $4,531.00 plus 7.90% of

not over $96,000             excess over $72,000

Over $96,000 but             $6,427.00 plus 8.25% of

not over $300,000             excess over $96,000

Over $300,000 but             $23,257.00 plus 11.00% of

not over $350,000             excess over $300,000

Over $350,000 but             $28,757.00 plus 12.00% of

not over $400,000             excess over $350,000

Over $400,000                $34,757.00 plus 13.00% of

excess over $400,000.

     (b)  There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every head of a household a tax determined in accordance with the following table:

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $3,000              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $3,000 but              $42.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $6,000              excess over $3,000

          Over $6,000 but              $138.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $12,000             excess over $6,000

          Over $12,000 but             $468.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $18,000             excess over $12,000

          Over $18,000 but              $852.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $24,000             excess over $18,000

          Over $24,000 but             $1,260.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $30,000             excess over $24,000

          Over $30,000 but             $1,692.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $45,000             excess over $30,000

          Over $45,000 but             $2,832.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $60,000             excess over $45,000

          Over $60,000                 $4,017.00 plus 8.25% of

                                         excess over $60,000.

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2006:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $3,600              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $3,600 but              $50.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $7,200              excess over $3,600

          Over $7,200 but              $166.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $14,400             excess over $7,200

          Over $14,400 but             $562.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $21,600             excess over $14,400

          Over $21,600 but             $1,022.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $28,800             excess over $21,600

          Over $28,800 but             $1,512.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $36,000             excess over $28,800

          Over $36,000 but             $2,030.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $54,000             excess over $36,000

          Over $54,000 but             $3,398.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $72,000             excess over $54,000

          Over $72,000                 $4,820.00 plus 8.25% of

                                         excess over $72,000.

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $3,600              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $3,600 but              $50.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $7,200              excess over $3,600

          Over $7,200 but              $166.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $14,400             excess over $7,200

          Over $14,400 but             $562.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $21,600             excess over $14,400

          Over $21,600 but             $1,022.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $28,800             excess over $21,600

          Over $28,800 but             $1,512.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $36,000             excess over $28,800

          Over $36,000 but             $2,030.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $54,000             excess over $36,000

          Over $54,000 but             $3,398.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $72,000             excess over $54,000

          Over $72,000 but             $4,820.00 plus 8.25% of

            not over $225,000             excess over $72,000

          Over $225,000 but             $17,443.00 plus 9.00% of

            not over $262,500             excess over $225,000

          Over $262,500 but            $20,818.00 plus 10.00% of

            not over $300,000             excess over $262,500

          Over $300,000                $24,568.00 plus 11.00% of

                                         excess over $300,000.

 

In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2019:

If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

Not over $3,600              1.40% of taxable income

Over $3,600 but              $50.00 plus 3.20% of

not over $7,200              excess over $3,600

Over $7,200 but              $166.00 plus 5.50% of

not over $14,400             excess over $7,200

Over $14,400 but             $562.00 plus 6.40% of

not over $21,600             excess over $14,400

Over $21,600 but             $1,022.00 plus 6.80% of

not over $28,800             excess over $21,600

Over $28,800 but             $1,512.00 plus 7.20% of

not over $36,000             excess over $28,800

Over $36,000 but             $2,030.00 plus 7.60% of

not over $54,000             excess over $36,000

Over $54,000 but             $3,398.00 plus 7.90% of

not over $72,000             excess over $54,000

Over $72,000 but             $4,820.00 plus 8.25% of

not over $225,000             excess over $72,000

Over $225,000 but             $17,443.00 plus 9.00% of

not over $262,500             excess over $225,000

Over $262,500 but             $20,818.00 plus 10.00% of

not over $300,000             excess over $262,500

Over $300,000                $24,568.00 plus 13.00% of

                                      excess over $300,000.

 

     (c)  There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of (1) every unmarried individual (other than a surviving spouse, or the head of a household) and (2) on the taxable income of every married individual who does not make a single return jointly with the individual's spouse under section 235-93 a tax determined in accordance with the following table:

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $2,000              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $2,000 but              $28.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $4,000              excess over $2,000

          Over $4,000 but              $92.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $8,000              excess over $4,000

          Over $8,000 but              $312.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $12,000             excess over $8,000

          Over $12,000 but             $568.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $16,000             excess over $12,000

          Over $16,000 but             $840.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $20,000             excess over $16,000

          Over $20,000 but             $1,128.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $30,000             excess over $20,000

          Over $30,000 but             $1,888.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $40,000             excess over $30,000

          Over $40,000                 $2,678.00 plus 8.25% of

                                         excess over $40,000.

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2006:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $2,400              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $2,400 but              $34.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $4,800              excess over $2,400

          Over $4,800 but              $110.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $9,600              excess over $4,800

          Over $9,600 but              $374.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $14,400             excess over $9,600

          Over $14,400 but             $682.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $19,200             excess over $14,400

          Over $19,200 but             $1,008.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $24,000             excess over $19,200

          Over $24,000 but             $1,354.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $36,000             excess over $24,000

          Over $36,000 but             $2,266.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $48,000             excess over $36,000

          Over $48,000                 $3,214.00 plus 8.25% of

                                         excess over $48,000.

 

     In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017:

          If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

          Not over $2,400              1.40% of taxable income

          Over $2,400 but              $34.00 plus 3.20% of

            not over $4,800              excess over $2,400

          Over $4,800 but              $110.00 plus 5.50% of

            not over $9,600              excess over $4,800

          Over $9,600 but              $374.00 plus 6.40% of

            not over $14,400             excess over $9,600

          Over $14,400 but             $682.00 plus 6.80% of

            not over $19,200             excess over $14,400

          Over $19,200 but             $1,008.00 plus 7.20% of

            not over $24,000             excess over $19,200

          Over $24,000 but             $1,354.00 plus 7.60% of

            not over $36,000             excess over $24,000

          Over $36,000 but             $2,266.00 plus 7.90% of

            not over $48,000             excess over $36,000

          Over $48,000 but             $3,214.00 plus 8.25% of

            not over $150,000             excess over $48,000

          Over $150,000 but             $11,629.00 plus 9.00% of

            not over $175,000             excess over $150,000

          Over $175,000 but            $13,879.00 plus 10.00% of

            not over $200,000             excess over $175,000

          Over $200,000                $16,379.00 plus 11.00% of

                                         excess over $200,000.

 

In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2019:

If the taxable income is:     The tax shall be:

Not over $2,400              1.40% of taxable income

Over $2,400 but              $34.00 plus 3.20% of

not over $4,800              excess over $2,400

Over $4,800 but              $110.00 plus 5.50% of

not over $9,600              excess over $4,800

Over $9,600 but              $374.00 plus 6.40% of

not over $14,400             excess over $9,600

Over $14,400 but             $682.00 plus 6.80% of

not over $19,200             excess over $14,400

Over $19,200 but             $1,008.00 plus 7.20% of

not over $24,000             excess over $19,200

Over $24,000 but             $1,354.00 plus 7.60% of

not over $36,000             excess over $24,000

Over $36,000 but             $2,266.00 plus 7.90% of

not over $48,000             excess over $36,000

Over $48,000 but             $3,214.00 plus 8.25% of

not over $150,000             excess over $48,000

Over $150,000 but             $11,629.00 plus 9.00% of

not over $175,000             excess over $150,000

Over $175,000 but             $13,879.00 plus 10.00% of

not over $200,000             excess over $175,000

Over $200,000                $16,739.00 plus 13.00% of

excess over $200,000."

     SECTION 3.  Section 235-55.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§235-55.7  Income tax credit for low-income household renters.  (a)  As used in this section:

     (1)  "Adjusted gross income" is defined by section 235-1.

     (2)  "Consumer price index" means the national consumer price index average over a twelve-month period that is published monthly by the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics as the "National Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers-United States City Average".

    [(2)] (3)  "Qualified exemption" includes those exemptions permitted under this chapter; provided that a person for whom exemption is claimed has physically resided in the State for more than nine months during the taxable year; and provided that multiple exemption shall not be granted because of deficiencies in vision, hearing, or other disability.

    [(3)] (4)  "Rent" means the amount paid in cash in any taxable year for the occupancy of a dwelling place which is used by a resident taxpayer or the resident taxpayer's immediate family as the principal residence in this State.  Rent is limited to the amount paid for the occupancy of the dwelling place only, and is exclusive of charges for utilities, parking stalls, storage of goods, yard services, furniture, furnishings, and the like.  Rent shall not include any rental claimed as a deduction from gross income or adjusted gross income for income tax purposes, any ground rental paid for use of land only, and any rent allowance or subsidies received.

     (b)  Each resident taxpayer who occupies and pays rent for real property within the State as the resident taxpayer's residence or the residence of the resident taxpayer's immediate family which is not partially or wholly exempted from real property tax, who is not eligible to be claimed as a dependent for federal or state income taxes by another, and who files an individual net income tax return for a taxable year, may claim a tax credit under this section against the resident taxpayer's Hawaii state individual net income tax.

     (c)  Each taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of less than [$30,000] $60,000 who has paid more than $1,000 in rent during the taxable year for which the credit is claimed may claim a tax credit of [$50] $150 multiplied by the number of qualified exemptions to which the taxpayer is entitled; provided each taxpayer sixty-five years of age or over may claim double the tax credit; and provided that a resident individual who has no income or no income taxable under this chapter may also claim the tax credit as set forth in this section.

     (d)  If a rental unit is occupied by two or more individuals, and more than one individual is able to qualify as a claimant, the claim for credit shall be based upon a pro rata share of the rent paid.

     (e)  The tax credits shall be deductible from the taxpayer's individual net income tax for the tax year in which the credits are properly claimed; provided that a husband and wife filing separate returns for a taxable year for which a joint return could have been made by them shall claim only the tax credits to which they would have been entitled had a joint return been filed.  In the event the allowed tax credits exceed the amount of the income tax payments due from the taxpayer, the excess of credits over payments due shall be refunded to the taxpayer; provided that allowed tax credits properly claimed by an individual who has no income tax liability shall be paid to the individual; and provided further that no refunds or payments on account of the tax credits allowed by this section shall be made for amounts less than $1.

     (f)  The director of taxation shall prepare and prescribe the appropriate form or forms to be used herein, may require proof of the claim for tax credits, and may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91.

     (g)  All of the provisions relating to assessments and refunds under this chapter and under section 231-23(c)(1) shall apply to the tax credits hereunder.

     (h)  Claims for tax credits under this section, including any amended claims thereof, shall be filed on or before the end of the twelfth month following the taxable year for which the credit may be claimed.

     (i)  For any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2019, each dollar amount contained in subsection (c) shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by the percentage, if any, by which the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year exceeds the consumer price index for calendar year 2019."

     SECTION 4.  Section 235-55.75, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.   By amending subsection (a) to read:

     "(a)  Each qualifying individual taxpayer may claim a [nonrefundable] refundable earned income tax credit.  The tax credit, for the appropriate taxable year, shall be twenty per cent of the federal earned income tax credit allowed and properly claimed under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code and reported as such on the individual's federal income tax return."

     2.   By amending subsection (d) to read:

     "(d)  The credit allowed under this section shall be claimed against the net income tax liability for the taxable year. [If the tax credit under this section exceeds the taxpayer's income tax liability, the excess of the tax credit over liability may be used as a credit against the taxpayer's net income tax liability in subsequent years until exhausted.]  If the tax credits claimed by a taxpayer exceed the amount of income tax payment due from the taxpayer, the excess of credits over payments due shall be refunded to the taxpayer; provided that tax credits properly claimed by an individual who has no income tax liability shall be paid to the individual; provided further that no refunds or payment on account of the tax credits allowed by this section shall be made for amounts less than $1.  All claims, including amended claims, for a tax credit under this section shall be filed on or before the end of the twelfth month following the close of the taxable year for which the credit may be claimed.  Failure to comply with the foregoing provision shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the credit."

     SECTION 5.  Section 235-55.85, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.   By amending subsections (b) and (c) to read:

     "(b)  Each individual taxpayer may claim a refundable food/excise tax credit multiplied by the number of qualified exemptions to which the taxpayer is entitled in accordance with the table below; provided that a husband and wife filing separate tax returns for a taxable year for which a joint return could have been filed by them shall claim only the tax credit to which they would have been entitled had a joint return been filed.

 

     Adjusted gross income

     for taxpayers filing

     a single return              Credit per exemption

     Under $5,000                      [$110] $125

     $5,000 under $10,000              [$100] $110

     $10,000 under $15,000             [$ 85] $ 95

     $15,000 under $20,000             [$ 70] $ 80

     $20,000 under $30,000             [$ 55] $ 65

     $30,000 and over                    $  0.

     Adjusted gross income

     for heads of household,

     married individuals filing

     separate returns, and

     married couples filing

     joint returns                Credit per exemption

     Under $5,000                      [$110] $125

     $5,000 under $10,000              [$100] $110

     $10,000 under $15,000             [$ 85] $ 95

     $15,000 under $20,000             [$ 70] $ 80

     $20,000 under $30,000             [$ 55] $ 65

     $30,000 under $40,000             [$ 45] $ 50

     $40,000 under $50,000             [$ 35] $ 40

     $50,000 under $60,000                 $ 30

     [$50,000] $60,000 and over          $  0.

 

     (c)  For the purposes of this section, a qualified exemption is defined to include those exemptions permitted under this chapter; provided that no additional exemption may be claimed by a taxpayer who is sixty-five years of age or older; provided that a person for whom exemption is claimed has been physically present in the State for more than nine months during the taxable year; and provided further that multiple exemptions shall not be granted because of deficiencies in vision or hearing, or other disability.  For purposes of claiming this credit only, a minor child receiving support from the department of human services of the State, social security survivor's benefits, and the like, may be considered a dependent and a qualified exemption of the parent or guardian.  For any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2019, each dollar amount contained in subsection (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by the percentage, if any, by which the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year exceeds the consumer price index for the calendar year 2019."

     2.   By amending subsection (g) to read:

     "(g)  For the purposes of this section[, "adjusted]:

     "Adjusted gross income" means adjusted gross income as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.

     "Consumer price index" means the national consumer price index average over a twelve-month period that is published monthly by the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics as the "National Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers-United States City Average".

     "Qualified exemption" means those exemptions permitted under this chapter; provided that no additional exemption may be claimed by a taxpayer who is sixty-five years of age or older; provided further that a person who claims such an exemption shall have physically resided in the State for more than nine months during the taxable year; provided further that multiple exemptions shall not be granted because of deficiencies in vision or hearing or other disability.  For purposes of claiming this credit only, a minor child receiving support from the department of human services of the State, social security survivor's benefits, and the like, may be considered a dependent and a qualified exemption of the parent or guardian."

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Tax Fairness

 

Description:

Increases the state tax credit for renters earning less than $60,000 per year and links future increases to the Consumer Price Index.  Makes Hawaii's earned income tax credit refundable.  Increases the state food/excise tax credit by specified amounts and links future increases to the Consumer Price Index.  Minimizes the adverse budgetary effect of increasing tax credits for working families by raising income taxes for high-income taxpayers.

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.