Bill > SB618

This bill amends Hawaii's existing law regarding motion picture, digital media, and film production tax credits by adding a new requirement for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). Specifically, the bill mandates that DBEDT publish on its website the names of qualified film productions and the specific amount of tax credits certified for each production per filing year. This is in addition to the department's existing responsibilities, which include maintaining records of taxpayers claiming credits, obtaining aggregate production costs, providing documentation to the tax director, and submitting a detailed report to the legislature. The new transparency measure will allow for greater public visibility into the tax credit program. The bill will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, meaning it will first apply to the 2025 tax year. The goal appears to be increasing accountability and providing more accessible information about the state's film production tax credit program.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=618&year=2025