HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1163
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the hawaii historic preservation special fund.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is in the public interest to maintain and preserve the State's historic government buildings. When Hawaii became the fiftieth state, key elements of its multicultural heritage and culture were incorporated into its government structures. These buildings reflect Hawaii's Pacific-Asian values, making these structures unique within the United States and the world. At the same time, older structures like Iolani Palace and other historic government buildings provide critical links to Hawaii's monarchs and Native Hawaiian population. In order to restore and preserve the state capitol, Iolani Palace, and other historic government properties, the State should adhere to the same long‑term planning, budgeting, and preservation standards that are used to preserve privately held historic sites.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to develop a holistic approach toward the restoration and preservation of the State's historic government buildings by expressly allowing the Hawaii historic preservation special fund to be used for this purpose.

SECTION 2. Section 6E-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Comptroller" means the comptroller of the department of accounting and general services.

"Department chairperson" means the chairperson of board of land and natural resources, unless the context otherwise requires."

SECTION 3. Section 6E-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§6E-16 Hawaii historic preservation special fund. (a) There is established a Hawaii historic preservation special fund into which shall be deposited the following moneys:

(1) Appropriations by the legislature to the special fund[;], in an amount equal to per cent of the moneys appropriated for capital improvement projects in a given year;

(2) Gifts, donations, historic preservation funding from non-state sources, and grants from public agencies and private persons;

(3) All proceeds collected by the department derived from historic preserve user fees, historic preserve leases or concession fees, fees charged to carry out the purposes of this chapter, or the sale of goods; and

(4) Civil, criminal, and administrative penalties, fines, and other charges collected under this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter.

All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund shall become part of the fund.

(b) The fund shall be administered by the [department; provided that the department may contract with a public or private agency to provide the day-to-day management of the fund.] comptroller, with an advisory group comprising:

(1) The department chairperson;

(2) The state historic preservation officer; and

(3) Preservation experts, who shall be selected and invited to participate by the department director.

[(b)] (c) Subject to legislative authorization, the [department] comptroller may expend moneys from the fund:

(1) For permanent and temporary staff positions;

(2) To replenish goods;

(3) To produce public information materials;

(4) To provide financial assistance to public agencies and private agencies in accordance with chapter 42F involved in historic preservation activities other than those covered by section 6E-9; [and]

(5) To cover administrative and operational costs of the historic preservation program[.]; and

(6) To repair, maintain, and preserve historic properties, as defined in this chapter, except properties maintained through a separate, dedicated funding source.

(d) The comptroller shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session detailing the moneys deposited into and expended from the fund.

[(c)] (e) The [department] comptroller shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 for the purposes of this section."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund; Historic Property

Description:

Clarifies that the Hawaii historic preservation special fund may be used to repair and maintain historic government properties, except properties maintained through a separate, dedicated funding source.

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