STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1773

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 243

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 243, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY AND DEVELOP STATUTORY DEFINITIONS OF "CREATIVE WORK" AND "CREATIVE WORKERS" BY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION HAWAII'S EXISTING CREATIVE WORK INDUSTRY, AS GROUNDWORK FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT MEASURES TO SUPPORT HAWAII'S CREATIVE WORKERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau conduct a study and develop statutory definitions of "creative work" and "creative workers" by taking into consideration Hawaii's existing creative work industry, as groundwork for the Legislature to adopt measures to support Hawaii's creative workers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism; Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawai‘i Arts Alliance; Kamawaelualani Corp.; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Your Committee finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the State's economy, particularly the tourist industry. Your Committee further finds that this significant decrease in the number of visitors has also negatively impacted the State's creative workers. This measure seeks ways to support creative workers in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 243, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair