STAND. COM. REP. NO. 615-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1939

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1939 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose 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, particularly for those affected by the Maui wildfires.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Lanaʻi Arts & Culture Center; Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Arts Alliance; Hula Preservation Society; Maui Arts & Cultural Center; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that in the wake of disaster, people may look to the arts for solace, comfort, and connection. Your Committee further finds that developing partnerships with art organizations and establishing a statewide arts program will increase access to the arts for communities in need, help communities heal, and be a symbol for resilience during recovery, particularly for those affected by the Maui wildfires.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $150,000.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1939, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1939, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs,

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair