STAND. COM. REP. NO. 35-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2117

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. 2117 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Mapping of Arts Data for Education Task Force to conduct a study and develop a comprehensive, publicly available statewide database and geographic information systems map of arts entities and programs engaged in arts and arts education.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony; Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance; ʻOhina Labs; Hawaiʻi Data Collaborative; Chamber Music Hawaiʻi; Hana Hou Music Program; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that while arts education and programming are offered through a variety of public, nonprofit, and private entities across the State, there is currently no centralized and comprehensive way to assess where and how those programs are delivered. The absence of accessible statewide data hinders the ability of educators, lawmakers, and community organizations to identify service gaps, coordinate efforts, and develop informed strategies to support equitable access to the arts. This measure addresses these issues by establishing the Mapping of Arts Data for Education Task Force to conduct a statewide survey and create a publicly accessible database and geographic information system map of arts programs, thereby supporting data-driven planning and investment in Hawaii's creative and educational sectors.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding members to the task force that represent independent and public charter schools and neighbor island arts education programs;

(2) Requiring the task force to submit an interim and final report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2029, respectively;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider including an appropriation for the task force to perform its duties.

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. 2117, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2117, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair