HB 2437: Arts Education; Artists in the Schools Program; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-27
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-30: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)
Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools program.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2437 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that access to high-quality arts education supports student engagement, academic success, and whole-child development. The legislature further finds that the state foundation on culture and the arts' artists in the schools program provides meaningful arts learning experiences by embedding professional artists in classrooms to serve students across the public and public charter school system.
The artists in the schools program directly aligns with the state foundation on culture and the arts' mission to foster cultural literacy and community engagement by delivering high-quality arts education to underserved students. By embedding professional artists in classrooms, the program supports the development of critical twenty-first century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, that are essential for future workforce success and engaged citizenship.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the state foundation on culture and the arts to fund the artists in the schools program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the artists in the schools program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state foundation on culture and the arts for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Arts Education; Artists in the Schools Program; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2437 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that access to high-quality arts education supports student engagement, academic success, and whole-child development. The legislature further finds that the state foundation on culture and the arts' artists in the schools program provides meaningful arts learning experiences by embedding professional artists in classrooms to serve students across the public and public charter school system.
The artists in the schools program directly aligns with the state foundation on culture and the arts' mission to foster cultural literacy and community engagement by delivering high-quality arts education to underserved students. By embedding professional artists in classrooms, the program supports the development of critical twenty-first century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, that are essential for future workforce success and engaged citizenship.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the state foundation on culture and the arts to fund the artists in the schools program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the artists in the schools program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state foundation on culture and the arts for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Arts Education; Artists in the Schools Program; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2437 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to artS education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that access to high-quality arts education supports student engagement, academic success, and whole-child development. The legislature further finds that the state foundation on culture and the arts' artists in the schools program provides meaningful arts learning experiences by embedding professional artists in classrooms to serve students across the public and public charter school system.
The artists in the schools program directly aligns with the state foundation on culture and the arts' mission to foster cultural literacy and community engagement by delivering high-quality arts education to underserved students. By embedding professional artists in classrooms, the program supports the development of critical twenty-first century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, that are essential for future workforce success and engaged citizenship.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the state foundation on culture and the arts to fund the artists in the schools program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $220,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the artists in the schools program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state foundation on culture and the arts for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Arts Education; Artists in the Schools; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools program.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 30, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Reported from WLA/EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3367) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye, Chang. |
| Mar 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga. |
| Mar 20, 2026 | The committee(s) on WLA/EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 1:11PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to WLA/EDU, WAM. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 107). |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 766-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 26, 2026 | The 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, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 24, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 02-26-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 248-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Kong, Garrett, Lee, M.; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Reyes Oda. |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by CAA on Friday, 02-06-26 9:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 2, 2026 | Referred to CAA, FIN, referral sheet 6 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| May 27, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts |
Passed |
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| Mar 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
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| Mar 5, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 26, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 6, 2026 | The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Culture & Arts |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Afterschool Art 501(c)3 | ** Support | |
| Department of Education | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Donkey Mill Art Center | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Donkey Mill Arts Center | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Hawaii Arts Alliance | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Hawaiʻi Community Foundation | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Honolulu Theater for youth | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Honolulu Theatre for Youth | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| HULI PAC | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Pacific Academy of Music | ** Support | |
| Prince Dance Company | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| State Foundation on Culture and the Arts | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Waihe'e Elementary School | *** Support | Mar 25, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 766-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2437
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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2437, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance; Afterschool Art 501(c)3; Pacific Academy of Music; and numerous individuals.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2437, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 248-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2437
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. 2437 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; and three individuals.
Your Committee finds that high-quality arts education is essential to student learning, supporting academic achievement, creative thinking, and social-emotional development. The Artists in the Schools Program, administered by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, provides impactful arts instruction by placing professional artists directly into public and charter school classrooms and expands access to arts education for underserved students. This measure appropriates funds to support the continuation and expansion of the Artists in the Schools Program to ensure its ongoing delivery statewide.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $220,000.
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. 2437, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2437, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,
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____________________________ JEANNE KAPELA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 25, 2026 | HB2437_HD1_TESTIMONY_EDU-WLA_03-25-26_.PDF |
| Feb 26, 2026 | HB2437_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_02-26-26_.PDF |
| Feb 6, 2026 | HB2437_TESTIMONY_CAA_02-06-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Education
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
50SEC
House Standing Committee on Finance
43SEC
House Standing Committee on Finance
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Culture & Arts
46SEC
