SB 2219 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.

Summary

Establishes a Capitol Visitor Center Working Group to study the feasibility of establishing a Capitol Visitor Center and submit a report to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to provide administrative support to the Working Group. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to assist the Working Group in preparing and submitting the report to the Legislature. Working Group to sunset on 6/30/2027. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2219 → SB2219_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was fundamentally rewritten to replace an immediate mandate for creating a Capitol Visitor Center with a temporary study group. The original version required the Legislative Reference Bureau to immediately establish and operate the center, while the new version creates a 'Capitol Visitor Center Working Group' to study the feasibility of such a center and submit a report by early 2027. Additionally, the effective date was changed to January 1, 2525, likely a placeholder or error in the draft.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from an operational mandate to a research and planning initiative, removing the immediate requirement to build and run the visitor center.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the immediate requirement to establish and operate a Capitol Visitor Center by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Added a new Capitol Visitor Center Working Group consisting of representatives from various departments to study the feasibility of the visitor center.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline for the working group to submit a report and recommendations by June 30, 2027.

Changed the bill's effective date to January 1, 2525, which appears to be a significant error or placeholder.

FISCAL

Removed the appropriation of funds for the immediate establishment and operation of the visitor center.

DEFINITION

Defined the composition of the working group, including the chairs and specific departmental representatives.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2408) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

5 primary · 2 co-sponsors