THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	825
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN HAWAII AND PUERTO RICO.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that since the arrival of the first Puerto Ricans in Hawaii on December 23, 1900, the Puerto Rican people have contributed significantly to all phases of Hawaii's development. The rich culture and proud heritage of the Puerto Rican people have been and continue to be positive influences upon life in Hawaii. Recognition of the contributions of the Puerto Rican people and their culture is important to promotion and awareness of Hawaii's diverse and multicultural society.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a Puerto Rican exchange commission to coordinate a cultural exchange program between Hawaii and Puerto Rico to honor and recognize the contributions of the Puerto Rican people and commemorate the arrival of the Puerto Ricans to Hawaii.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a temporary commission to be known as the Puerto Rican exchange commission that shall coordinate cultural exchange events between Hawaii and Puerto Rico to honor and recognize the contributions of the Puerto Rican people to Hawaii and to commemorate the arrival of the first Puerto Ricans to Hawaii.

(b) The commission shall be placed within the department of accounting and general services for administrative purposes and shall cease to operate after June 30, 2017.

SECTION 3. (a) The Puerto Rican exchange commission shall consist of fifteen members to be appointed by the governor without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Of the fifteen members:

(1) One member shall be from the Puerto Rican Heritage Society of Hawaii;

(2) One member shall be from the United Puerto Rican Association of Hawaii, Inc.;

(3) One member shall be from the Puerto Rican Association of Maui;

(4) One member shall be from the Kohala Puerto Rican Association;

(5) One member shall be from the Kauai Puerto Rican Association; and

(6) Ten members shall represent government, labor, business, culture and the arts, and the community at large.

(b) The chair of the commission shall be selected by the commission members.

(c) The members shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties under this Act.

SECTION 4. (a) The Puerto Rican exchange commission shall:

(1) Develop, plan, and coordinate various cultural exchange programs and activities between Hawaii and Puerto Rico that honor and recognize the contributions of the Puerto Rican people to the State, including but not limited to the following:

(A) Workshops teaching Hawaiian dance and lei making;

(B) Music performances; and

(2) Encourage the participation of all segments of the Puerto Rican community in the exchange program;

(3) Consider any related plans and programs developed by the Puerto Rican Heritage Society; the United Puerto Rican Association of Hawaii, Inc.; the Puerto Rican Association of Maui; the Kohala Puerto Rican Association; the Kauai Puerto Rican Association; and other interested private and public organizations or agencies from whose members the commission may designate special committees to plan, develop, and coordinate specific projects or activities; and

(4) Design and construct a monument to commemorate the arrival of the first Puerto Rican people to Hawaii that shall be donated to Puerto Rico and be placed at a location that best represents where the first Puerto Ricans began their journey to Hawaii.

(b) Prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016, the commission shall submit to the governor and the legislature a comprehensive report for the cultural exchange program that shall include but not be limited to:

(1) The production, publication, and distribution of educational materials about the Hawaiian culture;

(2) Traveling exhibits, other exhibits, ceremonies, theatrical productions, and other special events portraying the Hawaiian culture; and

(3) Images of the monument to commemorate the arrival of the first Puerto Rican people to Hawaii.

(c) At the end of its term, the commission shall submit to the governor and the legislature a final report of all its activities, including an accounting of all moneys received and disbursed.

SECTION 5. All property acquired by the commission shall be deposited for preservation in the Hawaii state public library system, museums, or public archives.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.