STAND. COM. REP. NO. 33-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1764

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1764 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MUSIC ACCESSIBILITY PILOT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Music Accessibility Pilot Program within the Hawaii State Public Library System to expand access to public concerts and musical education throughout the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; ABC Stores; Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra; Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association; Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance; Chamber Music Hawaiʻi; Servco Pacific, Inc.; Community Advocacy Research Education Services; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that residents of the neighbor islands often face limited access to live music performances and musical education due to geographic and financial barriers. Public concerts and music programs are typically concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural communities underserved. This measure addresses that disparity by establishing the Music Accessibility Pilot Program within the Hawaii State Public Library System to expand access to public concerts and music education statewide, promoting creative collaboration and enriching Hawaii's cultural landscape.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1764, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1764, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair