STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3260

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1939

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1939, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ARTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to provide greater access to the arts for children and communities in need, with a focus on those affected by the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the arts can be effective in disaster recovery by providing an opportunity channeling post-traumatic stress and anxiety into creative and productive community outcomes. Your Committee further finds that state arts agencies can play an important role as information providers, funding sources, and networking tools to connect communities and resources. This measure will increase access to the arts for children and communities, particularly those affected by the August 2023 Maui wildfires, by developing a Statewide Arts Program within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, in conjunction with other partnering organizations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding language that authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to accept gifted property for the purpose of providing community venues for education, economic development, revenue generation, and for other purposes supporting the Foundation's mission;

(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1939, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1939, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair