SB 3007HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii creates an office to guide arts and community projects

Hawaii establishes an office to support community improvement projects and sets aside up to $300,000 for its first fiscal year.

What it does

Hawaii establishes an office to support state agencies and community partners working on creative community improvement projects.

The office must establish a program to support community improvements and report each year on its work, funding, and plans.

Hawaii sets aside up to $300,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027 to establish the office, fund two full-time positions, and cover other expenses.

Argument forThe program could help communities share local history, improve public spaces, and organize cultural events.

Argument againstThe $300,000 set aside for the office could leave less public money available for other state needs.

More detail

Hawaii establishes the Office of Community Culture, Arts, and Innovation within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. The office supports state agencies and community partners with community improvement projects across Hawaii. The office is within the department for administrative purposes only. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

The office must establish a Community and Cultural Partnership Program and send an annual report to the Legislature. The program serves communities statewide. Its statewide revitalization plan starts with Honolulu's Chinatown. The office may hire another entity to run the program. The program shall endeavor to support community improvements, including cultural events and planning for area revitalization; it is to seek additional funding. The office must send its report no later than 20 days before each regular legislative session.

Hawaii sets aside up to $300,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027 to establish the office, including two full-time positions. The two positions are one executive director and one specialist. The money may cover the office's establishment and other expenses under the law. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism must spend it for those purposes. The funding is for fiscal year 2026–2027.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 14
To GovernorMay 8
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 174, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1276).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 174, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1276).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 8Enrolled to Governor.To Governor
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (6) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
9. May 1The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Hartsfield; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 212-26).
11. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 212-26) as amended in (CD 1).
13. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
14. Apr 30Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 229.
15. Apr 29Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
16. Apr 28Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
17. Apr 27Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
18. Apr 24Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-27-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
19. Apr 22Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).Minor
20. Apr 21House Conferees Appointed: Kapela, Hartsfield Co-Chairs; Alcos.
21. Apr 21Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).Minor
22. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Inouye Co-Chair; Lamosao.
23. Apr 16Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 726).Minor
24. Apr 16Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
25. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).Minor
26. Apr 14Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (8) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
27. Apr 10Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2042-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
28. Apr 10Deferred one day 04-14-26.Minor
29. Apr 7The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
30. Apr 2Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
31. Mar 24Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1353-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
32. Mar 24Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Alcos, Gedeon, Matsumoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
33. Mar 18The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Garrett, Lee, M., Sayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Kong; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Reyes Oda; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
34. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
35. Mar 12Referred to CAA, FIN, referral sheet 17Minor
36. Mar 12Bill scheduled to be heard by CAA on Wednesday, 03-18-26 10:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
37. Mar 10Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
38. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 339) in amended form (SD 2).Minor
39. Mar 6Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3001) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
40. Mar 648 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
41. Mar 3The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
42. Feb 25The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.Minor
43. Feb 23The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:57AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
44. Feb 20Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2607) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
45. Feb 20Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
46. Feb 18The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
47. Feb 13The committee(s) on WLA deferred the measure until 02-18-26 1:02PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.Minor
48. Feb 10The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 1:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
49. Jan 30Referred to WLA, WAM.Minor
50. Jan 26Passed First Reading.Minor
51. Jan 23Introduced.Introduced

Government & EthicsEconomy & Jobs

Issue with this bill?

SB 3007HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii creates an office to guide arts and community projects

Hawaii establishes an office to support community improvement projects and sets aside up to $300,000 for its first fiscal year.

What it does

Hawaii establishes an office to support state agencies and community partners working on creative community improvement projects.

The office must establish a program to support community improvements and report each year on its work, funding, and plans.

Hawaii sets aside up to $300,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027 to establish the office, fund two full-time positions, and cover other expenses.

Argument forThe program could help communities share local history, improve public spaces, and organize cultural events.

Argument againstThe $300,000 set aside for the office could leave less public money available for other state needs.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 14
To GovernorMay 8
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 174, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1276).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 174, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1276).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 8Enrolled to Governor.To Governor
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (6) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
9. May 1The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Hartsfield; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 212-26).
11. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 212-26) as amended in (CD 1).
13. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
14. Apr 30Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 229.
15. Apr 29Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
16. Apr 28Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
17. Apr 27Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
18. Apr 24Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-27-26 10:30AM in conference room 229.
19. Apr 22Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).Minor
20. Apr 21House Conferees Appointed: Kapela, Hartsfield Co-Chairs; Alcos.
21. Apr 21Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).Minor
22. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Inouye Co-Chair; Lamosao.
23. Apr 16Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 726).Minor
24. Apr 16Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
25. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).Minor
26. Apr 14Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (8) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
27. Apr 10Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2042-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
28. Apr 10Deferred one day 04-14-26.Minor
29. Apr 7The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
30. Apr 2Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
31. Mar 24Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1353-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
32. Mar 24Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Alcos, Gedeon, Matsumoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
33. Mar 18The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Garrett, Lee, M., Sayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Kong; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Reyes Oda; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
34. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
35. Mar 12Referred to CAA, FIN, referral sheet 17Minor
36. Mar 12Bill scheduled to be heard by CAA on Wednesday, 03-18-26 10:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
37. Mar 10Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
38. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 339) in amended form (SD 2).Minor
39. Mar 6Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3001) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
40. Mar 648 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
41. Mar 3The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
42. Feb 25The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.Minor
43. Feb 23The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:57AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
44. Feb 20Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2607) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
45. Feb 20Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
46. Feb 18The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
47. Feb 13The committee(s) on WLA deferred the measure until 02-18-26 1:02PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.Minor
48. Feb 10The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 1:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
49. Jan 30Referred to WLA, WAM.Minor
50. Jan 26Passed First Reading.Minor
51. Jan 23Introduced.Introduced

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History

What it does

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More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History