Update: 2025 Summary
As of May 2, 2025, of the bills introduced, only HB1378 made it through conference and now awaits the Governor’s decision.
2025 Measures
Nine measures were introduced for the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Legislature session regarding the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The table below was updated throughout the session. For the most current information, please check the Hawaiʻi State Legislature website, capitol.hawaii.gov.
| Measure | About | Hearing | SFCA Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB450 / SB582 Relating to DBEDT | Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers the authority held by the Comptroller over the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Companion SB582. | HB450 01/29/2025 10:30 a.m., room 309 and videoconference via YouTube. SFCA comments: HB450 testimony. SB582 Thursday 02/13/2025 1:00 p.m., room 423 and videoconference via YouTube. SB582 02/14/2025 referred to WAM. HB450 Thursday 03/13/2025, 1:00 p.m., Room 229 and videoconference via YouTube. HB450 03/21/2025 referred to WAM. Did not receive a hearing in WAM. Inactive. | Comments; as of 2/13 Oppose |
| HB1299 / SB1236 Relating to the Works of Art Special Fund | Specifies that the works of art special fund’s one per cent transfer requirement shall apply only to capital improvement appropriations for the original construction of state buildings. Amends the authority for funds from the works of art special fund to be used only for costs related to the acquisition of works of art. Appropriates funds. Companion SB1236. Inactive | 01/23/2025 Introduced and passed first reading. 01/27/2025 Referred to CAA, FIN. | Oppose |
| HB1378 / SB1577 Relating to the SFCA | Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Allows the use of moneys from the Works of Art Special Fund for performing arts. Appropriates funds to provide grants under the Performing Arts Grants Program. | HB1378 Friday, 02/07/2025, 10:00 a.m., room 309 and videoconference via YouTube. The committee(s) on CAA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-12-2025. SFCA, State Attorney General, DBEDT comments and public testimony: HB1378 testimony (PDF). SB1577 02/11/2025 The committee on TCA deferred the measure. HB1378 Wednesday 02/12/25, 3:01 p.m., room 224 and videoconference via YouTube. HB1378-HD2 Thursday 03/13/2025, 3:15 p.m., conference room 224 and videoconference via YouTube. [several updates between 03/13/2025 and 05/12/2025; can be viewed on the State Capitol website: HB 1378-HD2-SD2-CD1. HB1378-HD2-SD2-CD1 05/01/2025 Submitted to Governor. 05/02/2025 Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House. Awaiting decision by Governor. | No longer supported in current form |
| SB441 Relating to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra | Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. | SB441 Tuesday, 2/11/25, 3:01 p.m., conference room 224 and videoconference via YouTube. SB441 Wednesday 2/26/2025, 10:03 a.m., conference room 211 and videoconference via YouTube. SB441 Friday, 03/14/2025, 10:00 a.m. House Conference Room 309 via videoconference (YouTube). [several readings and amendments between 03/14 and 04/22/2025; can be viewed on the State Capitol website: SB 441-SD1-HD1. 04/22/2025 Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C.; Hashimoto; Elefante, DeCorte. Bill did not go to conference. Inactive. | Comments |
| SB1011 Hawaii Leadership Awards Program | Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii and serve as inspirations to others. Inactive | SB1011 Tuesday, 2/11/25, 3:01 p.m., conference room 224 and videoconference via YouTube. | Support |
| SB1581 Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument | Establishes a Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument to be developed by the State Foundation on Culture and appropriate stakeholders representing Hawaii and Japan. Appropriates funds. | SB1581 Tuesday, 2/11/25, 3:01 p.m., conference room 224 and videoconference via YouTube. SB1581 Wednesday 2/26/2025, 10:03 a.m., conference room 211 and videoconference via YouTube. SB1581 SD1 Friday, 03/14/2025, 10:00 a.m., House Conference Room 309 via videoconference (YouTube). SB1581 03/18/2025 Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Bill did not make it to conference. Inactive. | Support |
| HB925 Performing Arts Special Fund | Establish a Performing Arts Special Fund to be used for the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events and to be funded by a percentage of all ticket sales from concerts held at state venues. | HB925 Tuesday 03/18/2025, 3:02 p.m. Conference Room 224 and videoconference via YouTube. 03/21/2025, Reported from TCA with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended and referral to WAM. 03/21/2025, Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended and referred to WAM. Did not progress. Inactive. | Support |
| HCR163 HD1 Pacific Island Culture and Arts | Urging the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to establish an annual festival celebrating Pacific Island Culture and Arts. | Execution of this event is contingent on availability of funding. |
Resources
- Hawaiʻi State Legislature: capitol.hawaii.gov.
- My Legislature: create a free account to get hearing notifications, submit testimony, and track measures: capitol.hawaii.gov/account.
- Public Access Room: get free tutorials, workshops, and other resources for learning how to engage with the process and communicate with legislators: LRB.hawaii.gov/par.
- Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance: HawaiiArtsAlliance.org. The Alliance is a nonprofit arts advocacy organization. Subscribe to Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance email news for Action Alerts on bills and hearings, fact sheets, templates for testimony, and more.
- HAA Action Alert: Protect Arts Funding in Hawaiʻi (January 24, 2025)
- HAA Action Alert: Federal and State Funding Threats to the Arts (January 29, 2025)
- HAA FAQ and Advocacy Tips (March 5, 2025)
- HAA FAQ and Advocacy Tips – live document being updated by HAA: Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance Community Advocacy FAQ and Tips (Google Doc)
- HAA Action Alert: Oppose HB 1378-HD2 (March 10, 2025)
- HAA Community Call, March 12, 12:00 p.m. on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/9926262694?omn=91247796811.
- HAA Email: Mahalo for Your Powerful Advocacy!
- State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) news page: get updates on the SFCA website: sfca.hawaii.gov/news. Posts specific to the state legislature: sfca.hawaii.gov/category/news/hawaii-state-legislature-news.
How to submit testimony
Testimony can be short and simple! The online form will have the bill information pre-filled.
- Use the checkboxes to show if you support, oppose, or are providing comments.
- Check off whether you are an individual citizen or testifying on behalf of an organization that you represent.
- Check off how you will be testifying – in person, remotely, or written testimony only.
- Attach or put in your testimony/comments on the bill in the space provided.
Sample testimony
Chair [name], Vice Chair [name], and members of the [committee name] committee,
I am testifying in [your position] of bill [bill number], [bill name]. Please [action requested] this bill.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this bill.
[your name]
House District [district number]
Senate District [district number]
Example
Chair Kealoha, Vice Chair Nguyen, and members of the Oceans committee,
I am testifying in support of bill SB 123, Relating to Coastlines. Please pass this bill.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this bill.
Jane Shimizu
House District 60
Senate District 30
Please note that in the above sample the names, committee, bill, and districts are fictional. They are being used only for the sample.
Short on time? Testimony can be very plain and simple!
Please [action requested] this bill.
Sample testimony in support
Please pass this bill.
Sample testimony in opposition
Please don’t pass this bill.
Photo: view of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol building. Photo credit: Mark Galacgac.
Edits
- January 29, 2025: Added link to SFCA testimony on HB450.
- January 30, 2025: Added links to Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance action alerts from January 24 and 29, 2025.
- February 5, 2025: Added hearing information for HB1378.
- February 6, 2025: Added position information to measures.
- February 7, 2025: Added outcome of hearing for HB1378. Added hearing schedule for SB582.
- February 10, 2025: Added upcoming hearing information.
- March 11, 2025: Added link to Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance action alert from March 10, 2025. Added link to Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance community call on Zoom for March 12, 2025.
- March 13, 2025: Added sample testimony. Updated hearing information.
- March 14, 2025: Added information for HB925. Added link to HAA email 3/14/2025.
- May 5, 2025: Updated information for HB450/SB582; HB1378/SB1577; SB1581; SB441; HB925.
- May 16, 2025: Added summary of 2025 Legislative session.
- May 21, 2025: Added HCR163 HD1 information and update.