SB1504 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has a rich history captured for posterity by numerous institutions. Among these are the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, also known as the State of Hawaii Museum of Natural and Cultural History, which has a primary focus on early Hawaiian history, navigation, and science; Iolani Palace, which provides a primary focus on the Hawaiian monarchy and overthrow era; the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, which has a primary focus on educating the public on the judicial process and Hawaii's legal history; and the State Archives, which has a vast catalogue of historical documents and artifacts such as copies of the Hawaii State Constitution and moon rocks, but no meaningful place to properly exhibit them and tell their story.

The legislature further finds that through the territorial period and statehood to the present day, Hawaii played a significant role contributing to national and global events and progress. This includes growing as a model of social integration as the nation's first majority-minority state, which the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. called, "a place where we see the glowing daybreak of freedom and dignity and racial justice". It includes the local and national contributions of Hawaii's greatest generation of leaders growing out of the World War II era, who broke conventional norms and influenced the course of the nation; world-renowned modern discoveries achieved in ocean science and astronomy; and development of a modern renaissance in music and arts that has influenced the world. Hawaii has frequently driven political progress in the United States in its role as the birthplace of Title IX, legal abortion, widely accessible health care, same-sex marriage, and most recently leadership on climate change, including groundbreaking one hundred percent clean energy and carbon‑negative economy policies now being replicated around the country.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish a museum of modern Hawaii history;

(2) Convene a task force to further develop plans for the establishment, construction, and operation of a museum of modern Hawaii history; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 2. Chapter 9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part . MUSEUM OF MODERN HAWAII HISTORY

§9- Museum of modern Hawaii history; established. (a) There is established within the foundation the museum of modern Hawaii history.

(b) The museum of modern Hawaii history shall:

(1) Primarily focus on the territorial and statehood eras of Hawaii's history and complement other institutions;

(2) Chronicle Hawaii's significant milestones and events in its history as well as the leadership that the State has demonstrated with respect to many significant issues facing the nation and the world;

(3) Provide a window into current events and issues; and

(4) Partner with other institutions in Hawaii and abroad to share relevant narratives.

(c) The foundation may establish a nonprofit group or select a nonprofit group with demonstrated qualifications to manage and operate the museum of modern Hawaii history, its concessions, or other for-profit business enterprises in a manner that is self-sustaining."

SECTION 3. (a) There is established a museum of modern Hawaii history task force within the state foundation on culture and the arts for administrative purposes to develop plans for the establishment, construction, and operations of a museum of modern Hawaii history; and explore partnerships, collaborations, and joint efforts with other local institutions with different missions that may have some overlap, such as the state archives and King Kamehameha V judiciary history center.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1) The executive director of the state foundation on culture and the arts or the executive director's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

(2) The president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii tourism authority or the president and chief executive officer's designee;

(3) The state archivist or the state archivist's designee;

(4) A representative of the University of Hawaii, who shall be appointed by the president of the University of Hawaii;

(5) The chairs of the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary subject matter jurisdiction over culture and the arts or the respective chair's designee;

(6) The chief justice, or the chief justice's designee, representing the King Kamehameha V judiciary history center; and

(7) Other relevant stakeholders as recommended by the chairperson of the task force.

Members of the task force may recommend additional members with appropriate special expertise to the task force, for approval by the chairperson.

(c) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025, the task force shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:

(1) Plans for the establishment, construction, and operation of a museum of modern Hawaii history;

(2) Proposed partnerships, collaborations, and joint efforts with other local institutions; and

(3) Any other findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

(d) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(e) No member of the task force shall be subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of the member's participation in the task force.

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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the administration of the museum of modern Hawaii history task force to carry out its duties.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the state foundation on culture and the arts for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1504
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1