Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Gubernatorial Nominee, PATRICK BRANCO, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

2026 Regular Session

Formal nomination of Patrick Branco to the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, for a term ending June 30, 2030, pending Senate confirmation.

Confirmed. Ayes, 24. Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) San Buenaventura).

#statefoundationoncultureandthearts

Overview

Bill: GM 769

Session: 2026

Jurisdiction: Hawaii

Title: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Gubernatorial Nominee, Patrick Branco, for a term to expire 06-30-2030

Purpose: Formal submission by the Governor of Hawaii to the State Senate for confirmation of Patrick Branco as a gubernatorial nominee to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) for a term ending June 30, 2030. The bill is a gubernatorial appointment confirmation item, not a standalone statute changing policy.

Main Purpose and Intent

To present Patrick Branco as a gubernatorial nominee for appointment to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

To request Senate consideration and confirmation of Branco to serve on the SFCA, with the term expiring June 30, 2030.

To comply with Article V, Section 6 of the Hawaii State Constitution, which governs appointments and confirmations.

Key Provisions and Changes

Nomination: Patrick Branco is nominated by the Governor for a seat on the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Confirmation Process: The Senate is asked to advise and consent to the nomination, as required by the state constitution.

Term of Appointment: The term for the nomination would run until June 30, 2030.

Confirmation Timeline:

Public hearing and committee review conducted by the Senate (Western Legislative Assembly, WLA committee noted in the action history).
Reported from the WLA with a recommendation to advise and consent.
Full Senate action resulted in confirmation (ayes 24, noes 0, excused 1) on May 8, 2026.

Who is Affected

Patrick Branco: The gubernatorial nominee whose appointment to the SFCA would be confirmed.

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts: The executive-branch board/commission responsible for promoting culture and the arts in Hawaii; its composition would include Branco for the specified term if confirmed.

Hawaii Senate: Responsible for legislative confirmation of the gubernatorial nominee.

Hawaii General Public: Indirectly affected through the leadership and governance of the SFCA, which guides cultural policy, funding, and arts programming in the state.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Submittal: Governor Josh Green submitted the nomination to the Senate in March 2026.

Hearings: Public hearing originally scheduled for April 23, 2026, with subsequent action leading to committee recommendation.

Committee Action: Western Legislative Assembly (WLA) recommended advising and consenting to the nomination (April 23, 2026).

Senate Action: Full Senate confirmed the nominee on May 8, 2026. Vote details: 24 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 excused (Senator San Buenaventura).

Expiration of Term: If confirmed, Branco’s term on the SFCA would expire June 30, 2030.

Summary

GM 769 is the formal gubernatorial nomination of Patrick Branco to the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, with a term ending June 30, 2030. The measure outlines the constitutional requirement for Senate confirmation, documents the parliamentary process (including committee review, hearings, and final Senate vote), and records a successful confirmation by the Senate. The SFCA would gain Branco as a board member for the defined term, contributing to the state’s governance of arts and cultural initiatives.