SB2603 • 2026

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

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Active

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Sponsor: DELA CRUZ, HASHIMOTO, KIDANI, LEE, C., Lamosao
Last action: 2026-03-24
Official status: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Designation; Funding; Appropriation ($) Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.
Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
Exempts state funds received by the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

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

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB2603 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2603 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2603 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SB2603 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2603 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2603 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA .

Bill History

2026-03-24 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).
2026-03-24 H
Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1356-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-03-18 H
The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Kong, Garrett, Lee, M., Sayama, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-03-12 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by CAA on Wednesday, 03-18-26 10:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-10 H
Referred to CAA, FIN, referral sheet 16
2026-03-10 H
Pass First Reading
2026-03-06 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 71) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-03-06 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-05 S
One Day Notice 03-06-26.
2026-03-05 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2777) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-03-02 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-25 S
The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-02-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-23 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:55AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-20 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-02-20 S
Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2513) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-02-04 S
The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-01-30 S
The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
2026-01-28 S
Referred to WLA, WAM.
2026-01-23 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-23 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Designation; Funding; Appropriation ($)
Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Exempts state funds received by the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB2603

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2603

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra provides a significant
public service to the State of Hawaii and makes significant musical
contributions to the artistic and cultural education of the community through
its performances.

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The legislature further finds that the
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1900 to establish and operate a
professional symphony orchestra in Hawaii.
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The symphony hosts shows and programs featuring musicians and performing
artists from around the world, in addition to promoting local talent within
Hawaii.

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The legislature recognizes that the State
has a certain responsibility to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra for the public
services it provides.
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The legislature
notes that designating the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the "State of
Hawaii Symphony Orchestra" will enable the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra to
regularly obtain state funds to help cover its general operating costs in
exchange for other services to the State, to be mutually negotiated.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the "State of Hawaii Symphony
Orchestra".

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to
part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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"
�9-
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Hawaii
Symphony Orchestra; designation; funding.
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(a)
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The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra shall be
designated the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

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(b)
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The qualifying standards and conditions
related to the receipt of funds contained in chapter 42F shall not apply to
funds received by the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra; provided that if the
State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, in turn, 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.

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(c)
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The designation of the Hawaii Symphony
Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra shall not impinge on the
autonomy of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, nor imply state control over its
programs or policies, except as specifically provided in this section.

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(d)
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The comptroller and the legislative auditor may
examine the use of any state funds appropriated pursuant to this section and
shall report any findings to the legislature.

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(e)
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The p
resident and chief
executive officer of the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra shall provide a
report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of
each regular session.
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At a minimum, the
annual report shall include an explanation of the operations, maintenance, and
other functions accomplished using state fund expenditures in the previous
fiscal year.
"

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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the general operating costs of the State of Hawaii Symphony
Orchestra, including:

����
(1)
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Operations
and maintenance; and

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(2)
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Any
advice, consultations, or services provided free of charge to state agencies,
including:

���������
(A)
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Free
admission for public school faculty, staff, and students who attend shows
through department of education programs; and

���������
(B)
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Consultants
for purposes of setting standards in the symphony's educational programming and
public activities.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the state foundation on culture and the arts for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii Symphony Orchestra; State Foundation on Culture and
the Arts; State of Hawaii; Designation; Funding; Appropriation

Description:

Designates
the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.
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Requires annual reports to the
Legislature.
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Appropriates moneys.

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