SCR 26 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

URGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO RECOGNIZE AND AFFIRM THE EXEMPTION OF CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT AND CUSTOMARY GIFTS FROM GIFT RESTRICTIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER CHAPTER 84, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 26) supports a request by the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group for additional time and resources to complete its work during fiscal year 2026-2027. The Working Group, established to protect Native Hawaiian cultural assets from misappropriation, needs more time for community consultations to develop culturally appropriate solutions. The resolution affirms the state’s constitutional duty to preserve Native Hawaiian rights and aligns with efforts to maintain cultural authenticity in Hawaii’s $5.6 billion creative industries sector. It does not create new law but formally endorses the Working Group’s resource and timeline needs.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 24, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026

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What changed between versions

SCR26 → SCR26_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from supporting a working group's timeline extension to urging the State Ethics Commission to exempt culturally significant gifts from reporting requirements. This change removes all references to the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group and instead establishes specific exemptions for items like leis, traditional foods, and salt to prevent them from being treated as improper influence.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a funding and timeline request for a specific working group to a policy directive regarding the application of ethics laws to customary cultural exchanges.

SCOPE

Removed the request for resources and timeline extension for the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group.

REQUIREMENT

Added a directive for the State Ethics Commission to recognize that culturally significant gifts do not constitute reportable gifts.

DEFINITION

Defined specific exempt items including leis, traditional foods, pa'akai (Hawaiian salt), and similar cultural materials.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the resolution's purpose from supporting a committee's work to clarifying legal exemptions for public officers and employees.

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

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 27

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 445) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3570) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HWN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Richards, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara, Keohokalole.

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 04-02-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to HWN.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors