Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1860 HD2 SD1 (ACT 098).

This bill officially designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the "State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra" to formalize its role as a significant cultural resource for the state. By making this designation, the legislation exempts the orchestra from certain financial restrictions found in Chapter 42F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, allowing it to receive state general revenue funds without adhering to those specific qualifying standards. While the orchestra gains access to state funding to cover operating costs, the law explicitly preserves the group's autonomy and ensures that any standards regarding the use of funds still apply to any third-party contractors the orchestra hires. Additionally, the bill requires the orchestra's chief executive to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how state funds were used in the previous fiscal year.