HI HR135

Requests establishment of a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust to preserve and promote Hawaii's cultural resources.

Working group membership includes co-chairs from House and Senate culture committees, plus designees from Business/Economic Development/Tourism, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Hawai'i State LGBTQ+ Commission.

Working group invited to include representatives from Hawai'i Council for the Humanities, Native Hawaiian cultural organizations, nonprofit cultural/arts organizations, universities or research institutions specializing in cultural policy, and other members deemed necessary.

Directs working group to examine potential structure, funding mechanisms, governance models, funding sources, tax incentives, impact on cultural institutions, and administrative/legal frameworks for a cultural trust.

Requires working group to submit report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session convening.