Bill > HB1493

This bill establishes the State of Hawaii Film Commission within the Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, with a comprehensive mandate to support and develop the state's film and media industries. The commission will consist of twelve members, including representatives from county film offices, experts in indigenous storytelling, media production, studio infrastructure, and labor workforce, along with two ex-officio members from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. The commission's key responsibilities include developing a five-year strategic plan, providing policy recommendations on tax incentives, establishing industry partnerships, coordinating permitting processes, and fostering indigenous storytelling initiatives. The commission will be led by an elected chair and vice-chair and will be supported by an executive director who can hire additional administrative staff. The bill requires the commission to submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing progress in film industry development, workforce initiatives, tax incentive impacts, and revenue generated by film and media production. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates $750,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, which will fund an executive director position and two administrative positions, all exempt from standard state hiring regulations. The commission will officially take effect on July 1, 2025.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1493&year=2026