Transcript Highlights:

• So you are either a nonprofit or you are not a nonprofit, right?
• at nonprofits as a whole, right?
• <00:19:07.280><c> view</c> yes they're a nonprofit but in my view yes they're a nonprofit but in my view
• as a whole we look looking at nonprofits as a whole we look at<00:20:16.720><c> nonprofits</c><00:20
• which nonprofits we think are are good which nonprofits we think are bad<00:20:51.760><c> and</c><00

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Third-party litigation... ...servers, companies, employers, nonprofits, and others who are concerned
• Those increased costs flow straight into higher insurance premiums for families, renters, nonprofits,
• Those increased costs flow straight into higher insurance premiums for families, renters, nonprofits,
• process outlined in the chapter of state law governing acquisitions of nonprofit hospitals.
• nonprofit status.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments. HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill. HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about leveling the playing field among nonprofit child care centers.
• </c><01:03:56.400><c> Child</c> the playing field among nonprofit Child the playing field among nonprofit
• ><01:03:58.680><c> child</c> Care Centers currently nonprofit child Care Centers currently nonprofit
• I just wondered why it is limited to nonprofits that rent.
• </c> I can't speak for every single nonprofit I can't speak for every single nonprofit child<01:13:08.199

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Kristen Juan is the CEO of My Sister's House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving survivors
• Kristen Huan is the CEO of My Sister's House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving survivors
• Kira Kassansis is a lifelong nonprofit professional, community leader, and public servant.
• She also co-founded a nonprofit to advocate for safe landfills nationwide.
• Janice Haeckel has served as a nonprofit and municipal leader for more than 35 years.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE OVER 20,000 FAITH INSTITUTIONS AND A 10,000 PLUS NONPROFITS AND SEVENTEEN MILLION FLORIDIANS
• TO BE HELPFUL WITH THOSE CONNECTIONS FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS OUT THERE IN THE NONPROFITS
• HOPE FLORIDA HELPS CONNECT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THE MINISTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS OF NONPROFITS
• OKAY AS SOMEONE WHO IS A PRESIDENT AND CEO OF A NONPROFIT HOPE VILLAGE OF AMERICA.
• I FEEL THE MORE INFORMATION AND THE MORE RESOURCES WE HAVE TO CONNECT TO THOSE IN NEED WITH NONPROFITS

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Rachel Hatch, Chief Impact Officer at Institute for the Future, and we’re a nonprofit based in Palo
• Sure, the nonprofit sector, but as we saw in the LA Times the other day, we need to make sure that faux
• Through my work collaborating with artists, nonprofits, schools, healthcare systems, and universities
• The majority were nonprofits and artists or individual creative workers.
• Our nonprofit organization is primarily to support artists.

Committee: House Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• its passage, only two nonprofit organizations have filed a Form 807 report.
• This bill will ensure that travel paid for by nonprofit organizations is transparently reported.
• Since the requirement took effect in 2016, only a small number of nonprofits have ever filed.
• This bill will ensure that travel paid for nonprofit by nonprofit organizations is transparently reported
• Since the requirement took effect in 2016, only a small number of nonprofits have ever filed.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a nonprofit that came and asked for state dollars, and I looked at their 990.
• We got nonprofits doing better than food banks, right?
• As your nonprofit and really truly pursuing the mission that you're given.
• We got nonprofits doing better than food banks, right? There you go.
• We got nonprofits doing better than food banks, right? Food shelves, yeah, I know.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a nonprofit advocate for Minnesota residential energy consumers.
• </c><00:32:21.159><c> so</c> Community Action uh nonprofit so Community Action uh nonprofit so Lutheran
• , and are we contracting with a lot more nonprofits and the NGOs, which I define as nonprofits, and the
• , and are we contracting with a lot more nonprofits and the NGOs, which I define as nonprofits, and the
• </c><01:09:02.000><c> that</c> door open for a new popup nonprofit that door open for a new popup nonprofit

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• So it gives these local nonprofits the flexibility to continue serving us.
• That limits the number of times any one particular nonprofit could do fundraising?
• We are the nonprofit trade association for our Washington state wine industry.
• We are the nonprofit trade association for our Washington state wine industry.
• tax preferences for other nonprofits.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on several tax and local government bills. HB 2278 would remove the July 1, 2027 expiration on the additional $3-per-room-night tourism promotion area lodging charge; supporters from destination marketing organizations said the revenue has produced strong returns for tourism and events, while questions were raised about how the local ordinances would continue. HB 2583 would lower the population threshold for cities to impose a higher lodging tax and expand authority for public facilities districts; the sponsor and Vancouver supporters said it would help fund a proposed performing arts center and other tourism investments, while hospitality, short-term rental, and some local advocates raised concerns about stakeholder input, equity, and whether the bill was too broad. HB 2224 would change how a city forming a single-city fire protection district handles levy reductions and would exempt part of one levy from the local tax limit; city and firefighter groups supported it as a needed tool for fire and EMS funding, while hospital districts and tax opponents warned about prorationing, governance, and higher taxes. HB 2325 would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program funded by participating tourism businesses; supporters from tourism, hospitality, wine, and brewing groups said it would provide a competitive, industry-driven statewide marketing program, while members questioned impacts on specific communities and the need for broader local benefits. HB 2431 would expand from 15 to 50 days the amount of fundraising activity allowed in nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places, and the Grange supported it as a practical way to keep community halls open. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session and advanced three bills. HB 2584, a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm equipment sold to eligible farmers, passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2610, which modifies the property tax exemption for nonprofit homeownership development, also passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2615, which codifies the voluntary disclosure tax program and authorizes temporary tax amnesty, likewise passed 14-0 with one excused. The chair also announced a deadline for amendments on items to be acted on the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• in House Bill 2081, codifying much of our guidance, but also extending the B&O tax deduction to nonprofits
• I'm hearing from school districts and a lot of nonprofit organizations that are saying they're getting
• I'm hearing from school districts and a lot of nonprofit organizations that are saying they're getting
• So that is just the nature of Title 82: nonprofits, government, everyone pays those taxes.
• From nonprofits large and small, from Aberdeen to Spokane, as well as independent teaching artists.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Rachel Hatch, Chief Impact Officer at Institute for the Future, and we’re a nonprofit based in Palo
• Through my work collaborating with artists, nonprofits, schools, healthcare systems, and universities
• It was a majority of nonprofits and artists or individual creative workers.
• Our nonprofit organization is primarily to support artists.
• This could give the state a better sense of the individual artist and nonprofit Grant applications.

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on the Arts

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:41.959><c> housing</c> this does include nonprofit housing this does include nonprofit housing
• La a little bit about the developers and nonprofits that work in this space. Ms.
• </c><00:25:58.840><c> mission-driven</c> represent nonprofit mission-driven represent nonprofit mission-driven
• AICHO is a nonprofit organization located in Duluth.
• </c> known as AO U AO is a nonprofit known as AO U AO is a nonprofit organization<01:04:49.240><c> located

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not organized as a nonprofit anywhere. They're not registered. A charity.
• They're not organized as a nonprofit anywhere. They're not registered.
• They're not nonprofits, and often are not 501(c)(3)s.
• nonprofit that was created by fraud.
• I would argue that an AI that creates a nonprofit would qualify there.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not organized as a nonprofit anywhere. They're not registered.
• They're not organized as a nonprofit anywhere. They're not registered.
• They're not nonprofits, and often are not 501(c)(3)s.
• nonprofit that was created by fraud.
• I would argue that an AI that creates a nonprofit would qualify there.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on emerging consumer protection issues, focusing on elder fraud, charity fraud, and the impact of artificial intelligence on scams. Assistant Attorneys General from the Consumer Protection Division described the division’s broader enforcement work, including actions on rent stabilization, government imposter scams, service member refunds, senior living facilities, data breaches, and cases involving TikTok and Meta. They said elder fraud is often the same fraud seen in other age groups, but older adults tend to lose more money when victimized, especially in imposter scams and investment scams. The attorneys reviewed FTC data showing rising fraud losses nationwide and in Washington, with social media, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, and gift cards highlighted as especially important channels for losses. Members asked about underreporting, recovery of funds, and what consumers should do when they suspect a scam. The presenters said complaints can be reported to the Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Center and DFI, and that the most effective policy responses would likely target payment methods, especially crypto kiosks and other fast, irreversible transfer systems. They also said the AGO uses enforcement, consumer education, and scam alerts, but that many scams are difficult to pursue because perpetrators are overseas or untraceable. On charity fraud, the Charitable Asset Protection Team described several deceptive practices, including false charities, imposter charities, fundraising-first charities, causewashing, and point-of-sale solicitations. They said charity scams are underreported because donors often do not realize they were misled, and they pointed to concerns about crowdfunding platforms and commercial fundraising processors, including the collapse of Flip Cause and unpaid donations to Washington charities. The presenters recommended modernizing the Charitable Solicitation Act, increasing transparency and disclosure for point-of-sale fundraising, and strengthening public education through the AGO and Secretary of State programs such as Assured Giving and Assured Impact. The presentation closed with a discussion of AI, which the attorneys said is making scams harder to detect through deepfakes, voice cloning, AI-generated messages, and automated scam operations. They said AI can also be used to create fake charities and online ecosystems that appear legitimate, and noted that business and charity registration systems can often be completed without human interaction. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next review is a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing development.
• Our next review is a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing development.
• The preference provides a state and local property tax exemption to nonprofit organizations that buy,
• Between 2017 and 2024, 30 nonprofit developers claimed one or more exemptions under the preference.
• Over the same period, nonprofit developers sold 333 homes to qualifying households, for an average of

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2786 would put tighter controls on grants and payments to nonprofit organizations.
• That funding nonprofits directly should be discontinued. That goes back to an OLA report of 2007.
• I have started to identify five nonprofits that we could move their next year's funding to a one-time
• It sets up firm standards that every nonprofit should have to comply with to receive tax dollars.
• , including the nonprofits funded by MDE through other revenue sources, including federal funds.

Bills: HF51 , HF1161 , HF2201 , HF2786 , HF1053

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The implicit argument is because we're not giving tax money to this particular nonprofit.
• The implicit argument is because we're not giving tax money to this particular nonprofit.
• The implicit argument is because we're not giving tax money to this particular nonprofit.
• And to me, that's particular nonprofit.
• </c><00:36:28.200><c> organization</c> particular nonprofit organization particular nonprofit organization

Summary: The committee took up House File 4949, as amended by the adopted H4949A2 and H4949A3 amendments. The bill would create a sports and events reimbursement program intended to give Minnesota a more reliable funding mechanism to compete for major sporting and entertainment events. Representative Lislegard and supporters argued that events such as the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Final Four, World Juniors Hockey, and Olympic trials generate substantial economic activity, tax revenue, and statewide visibility, and that Minnesota has lost opportunities because it lacks a standing competitive fund. Testifiers from the Minnesota Business Partnership and Minnesota Sports and Events strongly supported the bill, describing it as a performance-based, closed-loop model that reinvests tax revenue generated by events into securing future events. Jess Graba, Cheryl Lindsey, and Dr. William Campbell emphasized community benefits beyond economics, including youth inspiration, school improvements, inclusion, and positive local engagement tied to events like the Olympic trials, the Women’s Final Four, and WWE appearances. Several testifiers cited specific figures, including roughly $71.5 million in economic impact and $4.7 million in tax revenue for World Juniors, about $74.8 million and $5.7 million for the gymnastics trials, and more than $430 million in lost economic impact from events Minnesota did not secure. Members raised concerns about the funding mechanism, especially the use of revenue that would otherwise go to the general fund or other accounts. Representative Huot said he supported bringing events to Minnesota but was uneasy about diverting general fund money and suggested stronger legislative oversight, possibly through a formal sports committee. Representative Youakim asked how the bill’s revenue capture would work and noted concerns about taking money from transportation-related accounts; staff explained that the amended bill affects seven state taxes and a fee, including motor vehicle rental taxes and the retail delivery fee, with some revenue directed to non-general fund accounts. Members also requested more information on the methodology behind the University of Minnesota Extension economic impact studies, and staff said those studies could be shared. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nonprofits step up to fill the gap when the governments fail. Period.
• The nonprofit is operating it? I'm sorry, I apologize.
• The nonprofit is operating it? I'm sorry. I apologize. was charged.
• Is that a nonprofit is operating a, I'm sorry, I apologize.
• Nonprofit organizations do not have that authority.

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:47.119><c> or</c><00:59:47.359><c> an</c><00:59:47.599><c> arts</c> cultural nonprofit or
• ,</c> The intent is to support nonprofits, The intent is to support nonprofits, increase<01:00:03.839
• </c><01:00:25.760><c> organizations</c><01:00:26.400><c> or</c> away from any nonprofit organizations
• or away from any nonprofit organizations or community<01:00:27.119><c> or</c><01:00:27.440><c> so</c
• </c><01:01:21.680><c> on</c> house the list of eligible nonprofits on house the list of eligible nonprofits

Bills: HB2436 , HB2438 , HB2532 , HB2566

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures related to arts funding, administration, and access. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For HB 2218 and HB 1815, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the bills, and members discussed transition timing and administrative support, including the need for an additional year in one measure and a temporary administrative position to help with the transfer. HB 1764, the music accessibility pilot program, drew broad support from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Public Library System, Hawaii Youth Symphony, and others, with testimony emphasizing library-based music programming, community access, and economic benefits. HB 2117, which would create an arts data mapping task force, also received extensive support, though witnesses suggested narrowing the initial scope, adding representatives from independent and charter schools and neighbor island arts programs, and ensuring adequate funding and a realistic timeline for the work. The committee also heard HB 2436 on arts integration in public schools, HB 2438 on the Hawaii Cultural Trust, and HB 2532 on the Hawaiian flag. HB 2436 and HB 2438 received support from SFCA, while the Cultural Trust bill prompted a lengthy explanation from the chair about how the proposed tax credit would work and amendments to clarify that donations to the trust and to qualifying cultural nonprofits must be made in tandem, with eligible organizations listed and updated annually by SFCA and OHA. HB 2532 drew testimony from Dr. Adam Jansen in support of protecting the Hawaiian flag as a historical and cultural symbol; he said the flag should continue to be used for solidarity, protest, inclusion, and identity. At the decision-making portion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered. HB 2118, HB 764, HB 1815, and HB 2117 were passed with amendments, including date deferrals and technical changes; HB 764 also had its appropriation blanked out. HB 2436 was passed with amendments, and HB 2438 was advanced with substantial clarifying amendments to the cultural trust structure. The chair indicated that HB 2117 would include an interim report due in 2027 focused on music and dance, with a final report due in 2029 on arts education more broadly.