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Joint committee advances several economic and cultural measures; performing‑arts surcharge deferred
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Summary
The joint meeting of the Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism committees advanced HB 2118 (transfer of cultural agencies) and multiple international and economic development bills with amendments, advanced several other measures and deferred a performing‑arts ticket surcharge after tax‑policy concerns.
A joint session of the Senate committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism considered a cluster of bills affecting economic development, international relations and cultural agency placement.
HB 2118, which would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT and move position funding, received support from the Kamehameha Celebration Commission’s executive director Amy Heaven. The joint committee recommended passing HB 2118 with amendments, including removing the appropriation from bill text and placing it in the committee report; the measure advanced.
HB 2474 (international cooperative agreements) drew DBEDT support (Dennis Nguyen) and was advanced with clarifying amendments about sister‑state relationships and transparency. HB 1943 (out‑of‑state DBEDT offices to promote 'Made in Hawaii' exports) drew support from retail and commerce groups; DBEDT described a proposed Seoul office and an anticipated appropriation; committee members asked about the $233,500 operating estimate and ROI.
HB 2604 (performing arts ticket surcharge) prompted sustained questioning from the Tax Foundation (Tom Yamachika) and others who argued that, as drafted, the surcharge is a tax rather than a user fee because revenues would be used statewide; the committee deferred the bill for further work.
Other measures on the 01:05 agenda (HB 2395, HB 2361, HB 1823, HB 1842 and HB 2218) were later returned to the 01:05 decision session and advanced with amendments or further drafting as noted in committee actions.
Outcome highlights: HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1943 and other measures were advanced with amendments; HB 2604 was deferred; the committee later advised and consented on GM 651 (King Kamehameha Celebration Commission nominee Zachary Ventilina).
