Budget hearings were held for the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) in both the House Committee on Finance and Senate Ways and Means. SFCA Interim Executive Director Karen Ewald attended both as part of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) team.
Bills regarding the SFCA that have been introduced so far include:
- HB34, Relating to the works of art special fund. Deletes as a source of funds for the works of art special fund capital improvement appropriations for renovations.
- HB472, Relating to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Appropriates funds out of the works of art special fund to the state foundation on culture and the arts for the integration of works of art projects into several state capital improvement projects.
- HB473, Relating to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Appropriates funds to the state foundation on culture and the arts creative workforce grant program for the awarding of grants to eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations to support the living wage of creative workers.
- HB475, Relating to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Appropriates funds to the state foundation on culture and the arts for the art in private places program and to establish one position for the foundation.
- HB478, Relating to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Appropriates funds to the state foundation on culture and the arts artist fellowship program for the awarding of one-time fellowships to promising artists.
- HB1472, Relating to the Works of Art Special Fund. Specifies that 0.5 per cent, rather than one per cent, of state fund appropriations for capital improvements shall be transferred into the Works of Art Special Fund.
- HB1496, Relating to the Works of Art Special Fund. Requires the State Art Museum to provide opportunities for the counties and private organizations located in Hawaii to display art through loan arrangements with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts under the Arts in Public Places Program.
- SB119, Relating to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Performing Arts; Works of Art Special Fund. Allows the Works of Art Special Fund to be used for performing arts, under certain conditions. Provides that forty per cent of the Works of Art Special Fund be used for performing arts. Defines performing arts.
- SB282, Works of Art Special Fund; percentage of capital improvement projects; reduced. Reduces the amount transferred to the works of art special fund from 1% to 0.5% of all state fund appropriations for capital improvements designated for the construction cost element.
- SB822, Relating to Creative Districts. Creates a process for the establishment of a creative district. Establishes a five-year tax credit for creative districts. Permits counties to enact incentives for creative districts. Requires the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to submit an annual report to the Legislature on creative districts.
- SB1119, Relating to the Works of Art Special Fund. Specifies that 0.5 per cent, rather than one per cent, of state fund appropriations for capital improvements shall be transferred into the Works of Art Special Fund. Limits the 0.5 per cent amount to appropriations designated for the construction.
- SB1120, Relating to the Works of Art Special Fund. Requires the State Art Museum to provide opportunities for the counties and private organizations located in Hawaii to display art through loan arrangements with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts under the Arts in Public Places Program.
- SB1532, Relating to Culture and Arts. Establishes the Hawaii leadership award program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii and serve as inspirations to others. Appropriates moneys.
For more frequent updates on these bills and information on Hawaiʻi arts legislation to watch, please visit the Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance (HAA) advocacy page: HawaiiArtsAlliance.org/advocacy. The HAA is a statewide private nonprofit that champions all arts and is an Arts First Partner and member of the State Arts Advocacy Network. HAA is the State Captain for the national arts advocacy organization Americans for the Arts.
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature website (Capitol.Hawaii.gov) provides ways to engage online, including submitting testimony, tracking measures, hearing notifications, live and on-demand videos of committee hearing and floor sessions, and current and past legislative reports. The State of Hawaiʻi Public Access Room (PAR) provides the public with information, facilities, and services to assist them as they engage and participate in the State legislative process: learn more on the PAR website at LRB.Hawaii.gov/par.