STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2061-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 118

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 118, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE CREATIVE RESURGENCE TASK FORCE CONTINUE TO EXAMINE AND DETERMINE MEASURES AND ESTABLISH POLICIES AND PROGRAMS TO BUILD AND FOSTER CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION THROUGH THE ARTS, CULTURE, AND HUMANITIES IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Creative Resurgence Task Force to continue to examine and determine measures and establish policies and programs to build and foster creativity and innovation through the arts, culture, and humanities in the State.

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 finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly and disproportionately impacted the State's creative economy, with many industries suffering immense economic loss. Additionally, with the disruption to in-person education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, creativity in schools and universities has diminished, resulting in significant losses to arts education and the humanities. In response, the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 242, S.D. 1, H.D. 1 (S.C.R. No. 242) in 2021, which called for the convening of a Creative Resurgence Task Force to build and foster creativity and innovation through the arts, culture, and humanities in the State. Your Committee further finds that while the Creative Resurgence Task Force has met several times since the adoption of S.C.R. No. 242 with fruitful discussions and work product, it needs additional time beyond the June 30, 2022, sunset date established by S.C.R. No. 242 to conduct its work. This measure recognizes the fruitful work done by the Creative Resurgence Task Force and requests that it continue its good work beyond June 30, 2022.

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. 118, 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