HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2699
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part   .  CREATIVE DISTRICTS

§201-A  Definitions.  As used in this part:

     "Department" means the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

     "Director" means the director of business, economic development, and tourism.

     "Coordinator" means the individual designated by the director to perform the specific tasks under this part.

     "Creative district" means an area designated as a creative district by a county.

     §201-B  Creative district; designation.  (a)  A county may designate an area as a creative district subject to certification as a state-certified creative district pursuant to section 201-C.

     (b)  To qualify for designation as a creative district, the land area to be included in the creative district shall be:

     (1)  Geographically contiguous;

     (2)  Distinguished by physical, artistic, or cultural resources that play a vital role in the quality and life of the community in which it is located;

     (3)  The site of a concentration of artistic or cultural activity, a major arts or cultural institution or facility, arts and entertainment businesses, or an area with arts and cultural activities or artistic or cultural production; and

     (4)  Engaged in the promotional, preservation, and educational aspects of the arts and culture of the community and contribute to the public through interpretive, educational, or recreational uses.

§201-C  Certification.  A county shall apply to the department for certification of an area as a creative district.  The coordinator shall review the qualifications of the area for which the county is applying for certification as a creative district in meeting the criteria in section 201-B, and submit a recommendation to the director for approval of certification as a creative district.

     §201-D  County incentives.  The county in which a creative district has been designated may propose incentives, including;

     (1)  Reduced permit fees;

     (2)  Reduced real property taxes;

     (3)  Exemption from local ordinances; and

     (4)  Other incentives."

     SECTION 2.  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall review the proposed incentives and develop a variety of incentives to promote the establishment, designation, and enhancement of artistic and cultural activities in designated cultural districts.

     SECTION 3.  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall submit a report on the designation of creative districts statewide, including the number of requests received for the designation of creative districts, the number of districts designated as creative districts, and the incentives used for the creation of the creative districts and to promote the establishment, designation, and enhancement of artistic and cultural activities in the designated cultural districts.

     The department of business, economic development, and tourism, shall submit the report, including any findings, recommendations, and any necessary proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the designation and establishment of creative districts.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  In codifying the new sections added by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

Report Title:

Arts; Culture; Creative Districts

Description:

Allows for the establishment and certification of creative districts to promote culture and the arts.  Allows for incentives.  Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to submit a report.  Appropriates Funds.  (HB2699 HD1)

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