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HB1025 • 2026

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, INC.

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, INC.

Budget
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
NAKAMURA (Introduced by request of another party)
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Re-Referred to WLA, WAM.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effective date is July 1, 2025, according to the official text.

Supporting the East-West Center

This bill designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., as a state-supported institution in Hawaii and exempts it from certain financial regulations when receiving state funds.

What This Bill Does

  • Designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc. as the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.
  • Exempts general fund appropriations to the center from chapter 42F requirements when receiving state funds.
  • Requires the center to meet certain conditions to receive state funding, such as being licensed or accredited and complying with anti-discrimination laws.
  • Gives the comptroller and state auditor authority to examine how the center uses its funds.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.
  • Hawaii's government agencies involved in funding and oversight
  • People who receive services or participate in programs offered by the center

Terms To Know

Chapter 42F
A set of financial regulations that apply to certain organizations receiving state funds.
Comptroller and State Auditor
Officials who oversee the use of public funds in Hawaii.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much funding will be provided or when it will start.
  • It is unclear what specific programs or initiatives the center will develop with this support.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., as a state-supported institution and exempts it from certain financial regulations while setting criteria for receiving state funds.

  • Designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc. as the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.
  • Exempts the center from chapter 42F requirements when receiving general revenues from the state.
  • Establishes criteria that the center must meet to receive state funds.
  • The amendment specifies a future effective date of July 1, 3000, which seems unusual and may be an error or placeholder.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 S

    Re-Referred to WLA, WAM.

  2. 2025-12-08 D

    Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

  3. 2025-03-04 S

    Referred to TCA, WAM.

  4. 2025-02-28 S

    Passed First Reading.

  5. 2025-02-28 S

    Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 51).

  6. 2025-02-27 H

    Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.

  7. 2025-02-27 H

    Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 866), recommending passage on Third Reading.

  8. 2025-02-20 H

    The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos, Ward.

  9. 2025-02-18 H

    Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 02-20-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  10. 2025-02-12 H

    Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Sayama, Ward excused (3).

  11. 2025-02-12 H

    Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 509) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

  12. 2025-02-07 H

    The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Garrett, Lee, M., Sayama; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kong, Reyes Oda.

  13. 2025-02-04 H

    Bill scheduled to be heard by CAA on Friday, 02-07-25 10:00AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  14. 2025-01-23 H

    Referred to CAA, FIN, referral sheet 3

  15. 2025-01-23 H

    Introduced and Pass First Reading.

  16. 2025-01-21 H

    Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, INC.
East-West Center; Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.; Chapter 42F Exemption; General Fund Appropriations
Designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., as the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc. Exempts general fund appropriations to the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB1025

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1025

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL
INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, INC.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange
Between East and West Act of 1960,
P.L. 86-472
, authorized the
establishment in Hawaii of a center for cultural and technical interchange
between East and West.
�
Act 82, Session
Laws of Hawaii 1975, established an educational non-profit public corporation,
the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., to
administer and operate the center.

����
The legislature further finds that the
established center for cultural and technical interchange between East and West,
better known and hereinafter referred to as the "East-West Center",
has become a pivotal institution in fostering understanding and cooperation
between the United States and the nations of Asia and the Pacific.
�
Hawaii's unique geographical location and
multicultural heritage make it an ideal location for promoting international
relations, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region.
�
For over six decades, the East-West Center
has significantly contributed to Hawaii's role as a bridge between the East and
West, enhancing the state's position in international affairs.

����
The legislature further finds that the East-West
Center's programs in research, education, and exchange have directly benefited
Hawaii's economy, culture, and diplomatic relations.
�
While the federal government has provided
significant funding to the East-West Center, this federal support has
fluctuated over the years.
�
The
legislature recognizes that the center would benefit from regular, predictable State
resources to support the development of programs and initiatives that align
with Hawaii's strategic goals in international relations, education, and
economic development.

����
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to
authorize from the general revenues of the State of Hawaii and exempt from the
requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, an annual appropriation
in the State's executive budget to the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange
Between East and West, Inc.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:

����
"
�201-
��
��
East-West
center.
�
(a)
�
The official designation of the Center for
Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., a Hawaii
educational non-profit public corporation established in Hawaii pursuant to Act
82, Session Laws of Hawaii 1975, shall be the State of Hawaii Center for
Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.
�
The qualifying standards and conditions
related to the receipt of funds under chapter 42F shall not apply to funds
received by the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange
Between East and West, Inc.; provided that if the center contracts with a
recipient or provider, then the qualifying standards, conditions, and other
provisions of chapter 42F shall apply to the recipient or provider and the
contract.

����
(b)
�

To receive state funds, the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and
Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., shall:

����
(1)
�
Be
licensed or accredited, in accordance with federal, state, or county statutes,
rules, or ordinances, to conduct the activities or provide the services for
which funds are appropriated;

����
(2)
�
Comply
with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against
any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex,
age, sexual orientation, or disability;

����
(3)
�
Agree
not to use the funds for entertainment or lobbying activities;

����
(4)
�
Be
incorporated under the laws of the State;

����
(5)
�
Have
bylaws or policies that describe the manner in which the activities or services
for which funds are awarded shall be conducted or provided;

����
(6)
�
Have
been determined and designated to be a tax-exempt organization by the Internal
Revenue Service; and

����
(7)
�
Have
a governing board whose members shall have no material conflict of interest and
serve without compensation.

����
(c)
�

The comptroller and state auditor shall have the authority to examine
the use of funds appropriated to the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and
Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.
"

����
SECTION 4.
�

This Act and its designation of State support shall not impinge upon the
autonomy of the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange
Between East and West, Inc., nor imply State control over its programs or
policies, except as specifically provided for in section 2 of this Act.

����
SECTION 5.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 6.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST

Report Title:

East-West Center; Center for Cultural and Technical
Interchange Between East and West, Inc.; Chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes;
General Fund Appropriations

Description:

Designates the Center for Cultural and Technical
Interchange Between East and West, Inc., as the State of Hawaii Center for
Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.
�
Authorizes General Fund appropriations
exempt from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the
State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West,
Inc.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.