STAND. COM. REP. NO. 246-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2605

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. 2605 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a position within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the position and to continue and scale arts and health programming for underserved and neurodiverse populations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Your Committee finds that participation in the arts can significantly improve emotional well-being, communication, confidence, and social connection. Specialized arts and therapeutic arts programs are particularly beneficial for individuals with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other neurodivergent conditions, offering positive academic and social-emotional outcomes. However, access to such programs remains limited, especially in underserved communities. This measure appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to expand arts and health initiatives for neurodiverse populations and establishes a full-time position to coordinate, implement, and scale these programs statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to unspecified amounts;

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

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2605, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2605, 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