STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1864

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 473

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 473, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Creative Workforce Grant program, which awards grants to eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations to support a living wage for creative workers.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Alexander Academy Performing Company, and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that the grants supported by this measure will help provide a living wage for creative workers, reduce barriers to participation for local artists, benefit and diversify the State's economy, and ensure that arts and culture‑related programs are available and accessible for all of the State's residents, including residents on neighbor islands.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 473, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 473, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair