Cynthia Thielen on Corporations Republican Challenger

Allow taxing of short term rental accommodations

Honolulu Civil Beat analysis: Critics say SB1292 would require operators of short-term rentals to pay transient accommodation and general excise taxes, with hosting platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway acting as tax collectors on behalf of the state. Sen. Laura Thielen compared illegal vacation rentals to a crime that prevents local people from being able to own and rent homes.

Veto message: The State's taxation of transient accommodations through hosting platforms should complement the counties' regulation of transient accommodations. While SB1292 would not legalize these operations, it could be viewed as legitimizing these operations.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 50-1-0 on 4/9/19; State Rep. Cynthia Thielen voted YES; Passed Senate 13-12-0 on 4/30; Vetoed by Gov. Ige on 7/9

Ranked highly by Small Business Hawaii

• 2006 Representative Thielen supported the interests of the Small Business Hawaii 40 percent in 2006.
• 2005 Representative Thielen supported the interests of the Small Business Hawaii 75 percent in 2005.
• 2004 Representative Thielen supported the interests of the Small Business Hawaii 100 percent in 2004 and 2003.
• 2002 In 2002 Small Business Hawaii gave Representative Thielen a rating of 2 on a 5-point scale (1 was the highest possible ranking and 5 was the lowest possible ranking).
• 2001 Representative Thielen supported the interests of the Small Business Hawaii 75 percent in 2001.
• 2000 In 2000 Hawaii National Federation of Independent Business determined Representative Thielen to be a friend.
• 2000 Representative Thielen supported the interests of the Small Business Hawaii 100 percent in 2000.