HB 474 Summary

• Appropriates federal funds to sustain and support the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, officially designated as the State of Hawaii Museum of Natural and Cultural History, for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

• Recognizes Bishop Museum as a distinguished scientific, cultural, and educational institution responsible for preserving Hawaii's natural and cultural heritage, irreplaceable collections, and over one hundred years of research across the Pacific.

• Identifies Bishop Museum's research and collections as essential resources for addressing current challenges including biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change resilience.

• Notes Bishop Museum's collaborative partnerships with federal agencies (USDA, DOT, Fish and Wildlife Service, NSF, NEH, NOAA, IMLS), state agencies, and county organizations to generate research and educational programs.

• Funds are to be expended by the department of budget and finance; the Act takes effect on June 30, 3000.