SR 23 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.

Senate Resolution 23 expresses the Hawaii Senate's support for the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request to extend their timeline and secure additional resources for fiscal year 2026-2027. The Working Group, established to protect Native Hawaiian cultural intellectual property, needs more time for community consultations to develop solutions that prevent cultural appropriation. This resolution affirms the state's constitutional duty (Article XII, Section 7) to preserve Native Hawaiian rights and aligns with efforts to support indigenous self-determination over cultural assets.

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 May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

SR23 → SR23_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill completely changed its subject matter from supporting a Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group to urging the State Ethics Commission to exempt culturally significant gifts (like lei and traditional foods) from reporting requirements. This shift moves the legislation from a resource allocation request for a specific committee to a policy change aimed at preventing cultural practices from being treated as improper influence under ethics laws.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a specific request for funding and timeline extension for the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group to a broader directive regarding the application of ethics laws to customary cultural exchanges.

FISCAL

Removed the request for additional 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, such as lei and traditional foods, are not prohibited or reportable gifts.

DEFINITION

Defined 'culturally significant and customary gifts' to include lei, traditional foods, Hawaiian salt, and similar items exchanged as expressions of respect or protocol.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's focus from protecting Native Hawaiian intellectual property to addressing the intersection of cultural practices and state ethics regulations.

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 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3571) 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