Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 2438: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 2438 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii House on January 28, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST. Primary sponsor: Jeanné Kapela (Democratic), Terez Amato (Democratic), Darius Kila (Democratic), Nicole Lowen (Democratic), Lisa Marten (Democratic), Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), Julie Reyes Oda (Republican), Garner Shimizu (Republican), Gregg Takayama (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (May 27, 2026): Pending introduction.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Establishes the Hawaii Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes an income tax credit for contributions made to both the Hawaii Cultural Trust and at least one qualified Hawaii cultural organization, under certain conditions. Establishes a special number plate for motor vehicles to support the Hawaii Cultural Trust. Applies the income tax credit to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanné Kapela | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 5 |
| Terez Amato | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 11 |
| Darius Kila | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 44 |
| Nicole Lowen | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Lisa Marten | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 51 |
| Mahina Poepoe | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 13 |
| Julie Reyes Oda | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 40 |
| Garner Shimizu | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 32 |
| Gregg Takayama | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 34 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Pending introduction.
- Reported from EDT/WLA/TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3340) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
- Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
- The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TRS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Elefante, Kanuha.
- 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.
- The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kim.
- The committee(s) on EDT/WLA/TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
- Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 419).
- Passed First Reading.
- Referred to EDT/WLA/TRS, WAM.
- Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
- Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1021-26) as amended in HD 3, recommending passage on Third Reading.
Showing 12 most recent of 25 actions. Full history