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GM 1222

Informing the Legislature that on June 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1815 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 122).

2026 Regular Session

Reorganizes Hawaii’s culture and arts governance by strengthening the State Foundation, tightening grant standards, and transferring key functions to BEDS under a unified, accounta

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Bill Summary · GM 1222

Overview

GM 1222 informs Hawaii readers that on June 8, 2026, Governor signed HB1815 HD1 SD1 CD1 into law as Act 122. The bill relates to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and reorganizes certain state functions under the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (BEDS) while expanding duties and governance of the foundation.

Main purpose and intent

  • Notify the Legislature about the enactment of HB1815 (Act 122) and provide a consolidated summary of its provisions.
  • Reorganize administrative responsibilities related to culture and the arts, transfer certain functions from the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to the new or redefined agency structure under BEDS, and strengthen the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (the foundation).

Key provisions and changes

Part II: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

  • Reframes and expands the governance, funding, and oversight framework for foundation grants (including a performing arts grants program).
  • Establishes qualifying standards for grant applicants (both organizations and individuals), including governance requirements, conflict-of-interest policies, bylaws, and demonstrated experience.
  • Sets conditions for grant recipients, including compliance with anti-discrimination laws, prohibitions on using funds for entertainment, and access to records for monitoring and evaluation.
  • Requires grant reviews and standardized application content (purpose, description, financials, personnel salaries, etc.) and ensures applicants are informed of grant dispositions.
  • Maintains an allotment framework for appropriations and contract-based disbursements, with reporting and oversight requirements.
  • Strengthens post-grant oversight: annual contract monitoring and evaluation to measure outcomes.

Part II (King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, KKCC)

  • Transfers KKCC administrative responsibilities effectively to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes.
  • Establishes the KKCC with a fifteen-member composition drawn from Native Hawaiian organizations and geographic representation from five islands.
  • Allows the KKCC to appoint staff (arts program specialist, clerk, and executive director) and set salaries through private contributions and donations, with funding routed through the new administrative structure.
  • Provides travel and expense reimbursements to KKCCmembers; outlines fiscal management and reporting responsibilities.
  • Directs the executive director to manage programs including arts in public places and relocatable works, and to oversee relations with private donors.

State government reorganizations and fiscal provisions

  • Transfers certain functions and responsibilities from DAGS to BEDS, including management of reporting, information technology, and facility-related programs, with associated rules and contracts transferred accordingly.
  • Requires zero-emission vehicle mandates for new state fleet purchases (with phased deadlines) and potential exemptions if cost-prohibitive.
  • Establishes a Washington Place trust fund and related real property management provisions, including ownership and management by the new department.
  • Amends provisions on works of art funding, one-percent requirements for capital improvement projects, and the administration of art acquisitions and donations.

Administrative and statutory changes

  • Revisions to statutes governing the foundation (Chapter 9), including definitions, review processes, and reporting requirements.
  • Transfers and consolidates authority for several administrative functions, ensuring continuity of services during the transition.

Who/what would be affected

  • The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (in governance, funding, reporting, and program administration).
  • Grant applicants and recipients (organizations and individuals) seeking foundation or performing arts grants.
  • The King Kamehameha Celebration Commission (KKCC) and its operations, staff, and funding mechanisms.
  • The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (BEDS), due to transfer of functions and duties.
  • State agencies involved in arts education, cultural programs, and public art initiatives.
  • State fleet operations and procurement, due to zero-emission vehicle requirements.
  • Washington Place management and related trust fund.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • The act consolidates and transfers various functions; transitional rules specify how contracts, records, and personnel move to the new structure.
  • Statutory provisions include annual reporting requirements by the foundation and KKCC, and ongoing oversight by the executive director and comptroller or equivalent administrator within BEDS.
  • The act authorizes adoption of rules under chapter 91 for implementing provisions.

Summary in plain terms

HB1815 (Act 122) reorganizes Hawaii’s approach to culture and the arts by strengthening the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, tightening grant standards and oversight, and transferring several administrative functions from DAGS to BEDS. It also redefines the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission’s role and funding under the new administrative framework, requires agencies to align capital improvement art spending with a one-percent provision, and pushes toward a more integrated, accountable system for supporting culture, arts education, and public art across the state. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with transitional provisions guiding staff, records, and contracts during the shift.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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