RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.

SB2219

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2219

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO
public access
.

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

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Chapter
21G
, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

����
"
�
21G-

�
Capitol visitor center; established.
�
(a)
�

There is established within the state capitol a capitol visitor center
to:

����
(1)
�
Inform and
educate
visitors on the history and legacy of the state
legislature;

����
(2)
�
Inform and
educate visitors about and assist visitors in navigating the state
capitol
i
n
collaboration with the office of the governor
;
and

����
(3)
�
Promote
the State's attractions, including its natural resources, cultural heritage,
experiences, and locally produced goods and services.

����
(b)
�
The
capitol visitor center shall be maintained and operated by the legislative
reference bureau.

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SECTION
2
.
�
Section 21D-6, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

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"
[
[
]
�21D-6
�
Joint legislative access committee.
[
]
]
�

There is established the joint legislative access committee which shall
be composed of members of the legislature.
�

The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives
shall each appoint a co-chair and two members or more to the committee, one of
whom shall be a member of the minority party.

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The committee shall:

����
(1)
�
Oversee
the staff and operations of the legislative broadcast project, and recommend
policies for the project which shall be adopted by concurrent resolution; and

����
(2)
�
Review
the operations of the public access room, legislative internet project
[
,
]

capitol visitor center,

and other public access projects of the
legislature and recommend policies for these projects to the president of the
senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.
"

����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section 21G-1, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
[
[
]
�21G-1
[
]
]
�

Purpose.
�
The purpose of this
chapter is to establish a permanent public access program to ensure improved
public participation in the legislative process
[
.
]
and
improved public access to the history and legacy of the state legislature and the
state capitol.
"

����
SECTION
4
.
�
Section 23G-3, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�23G-3
�
General purposes of
bureau.
�
The purpose of the office of
the legislative reference bureau shall be to:

����
(1)
�
Provide
a comprehensive research and reference service on legislative problems for the
legislature;

����
(2)
�
Conduct
impartial research, including legal research, as may be necessary for the
enactment of substantive legislation, upon request by the legislature,
legislative committees, or legislators, or on its own initiative;

����
(3)
�
Disseminate
its research findings to the legislature on all research projects undertaken
upon the request of the legislature or legislative committees;

����
(4)
�
Secure
reports of various officers and boards of the State and as far as may be of the
states and of the other territories of the United States and such other
material, periodicals, or books as will furnish the fullest information
practicable upon all matters pertaining to current or proposed legislative
problems;

����
(5)
�
Secure
information for the legislature, legislative committees, and legislators by
cooperating with the legislative reference services in the states and with the
legislative service conference maintained by the council of state governments;

����
(6)
�
Maintain
a reference library for use by the legislature and legislative service
agencies.
�
Subject to the priorities
established by the director, reference materials may be made available to the
various departments and agencies of the State and the general public;

����
(7)
�
Draft
or aid in drafting bills, resolutions, memorials, and amendments thereto,
including committee reports, for the legislature, legislative committees, and
legislators when requested;

����
(8)
�
Control
and maintain the operations of any legislative data processing program as may
be established;

����
(9)
�
Serve,
upon request, in an advisory capacity to the legislature and its committees on
all matters within its competencies and responsibilities;

���
(10)
�
Assist,
upon request, legislative service agencies on matters within its competency;

���
(11)
�
Perform
the function of statute revision and publication of session laws, supplements,
and replacement volumes; and

���
(12)
�
Maintain

and operate

the public access room
and
capitol visitor center

established by chapter 21G."

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SECTION
5.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
establishment and operation of the capitol visitor center, including the
establishment and hiring of full-time equivalent (
FTE) positions.

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The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the
purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION

6
.
�
Statutory material to be
repealed is bracketed and stricken.
�
New
statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION

7
.
�
This Act shall take effect
on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

LRB; Joint Legislative Access Committee; State
Capitol; Public Access;
Capitol
Visitor Center; Appropriation; Positions

Description:

Establishes
a Capitol Visitor Center
within the State Capitol
to be
maintained and operated by the Legislative
Reference Bureau.
�
Requires the

Joint Legislative Access Committee to review
the operations of the Capitol Visitor Center and recommend policies to the President
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
�
Appropriates funds.

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