A new legislative session brings the possibility of new laws. Here are some that have been introduced this session and would impact the arts:
Artists in the Schools Program, HB2437. The legislation would appropriate funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for its Artists in the Schools Program, which brings artists into the classroom at public schools. Karen Ewald, executive director of SFCA, submitted testimony in favor of the legislation and shared there was an increase in demand for the program, which is out-pacing funds. Keith Hayashi, superintendent of the Hawaiʻi public school system, also submitted testimony in favor of the measure. There was no testimony against the legislation. Status: It passed second reading, as amended, and was referred to the committee on finance. Details.
Establishes arts integration coordinator for Department of Education, HB2436: This bill would establish funds for an arts integration coordinator or specialists to support arts education within the state Department of Education. It also appropriates $600,000 for this work in the fiscal year of 2026-2027 to fund four full-time equivalent arts integration coordinators or specialists, including salary, fringe benefits and operational expenses. The legislation requires one position be established on each of the following islands: Oʻahu, Maui, Kaua'i, and Hawaiʻi Island. Status: Referred to committees for culture and arts, education, and finance. Scheduled to be heard by the committee on education on Feb. 19. Details.
Increases tax credits for film productions that hire local, HB1939. Amends the motion picture, digital media and film production income tax credit by providing additional credits to productions with at least 80% local hires. Status: The committee on economic development and technology recommended passage on second reading. Referred to the committee on finance. Details.
Music accessibility pilot program for Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, HB1764. Establishes a pilot program where the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System would provide access to public concerts and musical education across the state, including the counties of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui. The program would support local musicians and cultural collaboration and encourage the commission of new works that reflect the unique heritage of Hawaiʻi. The state public library system would collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and other groups. Status: The committee on education recommended that the measure be passed without amendments. It has been referred to the committee on finance. Details.
State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, SB2603 (companion bill HB1860). This bill would designate the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, which would allow the group to “regularly obtain state funds to help cover its general operating costs in exchange for other services to the State, to be mutually negotiated,” according to the text of the proposed legislation. HSO was founded in 1900 as the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. The symphony has a history of financial instability, including filing for bankruptcy in 2009. The bill highlights how the symphony provides a spotlight for local and international musicians and performing artists. It establishes $500,000 of funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027, which would include a stipulation of free admission for school faculty, staff and students who attend shows through the state Department of Education programs. Status: The committee on water, land, culture and the arts recommended passage on second reading, as amended. It was referred to the committee on ways and means. Details.
Surcharge for performing arts tickets, SB3330 (companion bill HB2604). The proposed legislation establishes a surcharge of $1 for the sale of performing arts tickets, with funds going to the performing arts grants special fund, which provides grants for the planning, promotion, marketing and execution of performing arts events. The surcharge is waived for any event with a ticket price of $35 or less. It will also be waived for ones run by Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits and performances by students enrolled in public schools or the University of Hawaiʻi system. The ticket provider will disclose the surcharge on a separate line item on tickets, receipts and invoices at the time of sale. Status: It has been referred to the committees for economic development and tourism; water, land, culture and the arts; commerce and consumer protection; and ways and means. Details.
Tax credits for film productions, SB3088 (companion bill HB2269). This bill would increase the qualified production tax credit in any county of the state with a population of more than 700,000 to 27%, an increase from the current 22%. For counties with smaller populations, such as Maui County, the production credit would change to 32%, up from 27%. The legislation also lifts the per-production cap of $17 million for productions with qualified expenditures of at least $60 million. The annual cap for tax credits for all productions would increase to $60 million, an increase from the current $50 million. Status: Passed first reading.Referred to the committees for economic development and tourism; and ways and means. Details.
Works of Art Special Fund, SB1236 (companion bill HB1299): The proposed legislation amends existing law which established a works of art special fund that designates 1% of the construction costs of new state buildings go toward the acquisition of works of art. This bill would expand how that fund can be used and proposes it could also support new positions within SFCA as well as performing arts initiatives and programs at schools. Status: Carried over to the 2026 regular session and re-referred to the committees on ways and means; and water, land, culture and the arts. Details.
Here are some bills that have been deferred:
Artificial intelligence and music (HB2357). This bill would prohibit music streaming platforms from hosting, distributing or making available in the state of Hawaiʻi any music attributed to an artificial intelligence music artist. The department of the attorney general would have exclusive authority to enforce the law and violations of it would constitute an unfair method of competition and a deceptive act or practice. Status: It has been referred to the committees for economic development and technology; judiciary and Hawaiian affairs; and finance. On Feb. 18, the committee on judiciary and Hawaiian affairs recommended that the measure be deferred. Details.
Increases the ceiling of the works of art special fund, HB2461. The bill would increase the ceiling of the works of art special fund, which is used to commission or purchase art. It also expands the uses of the fund, and would allow money to be used for the upkeep and preservation of the state’s public art collection, including the establishment of a collections manager position within SFCA. Status: Referred to committees for culture and arts; and finance. On Feb. 13, the committee on culture and arts recommended it be deferred. Details.
Are you following a bill that impacts arts and entertainment and should be on this list? Email: katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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