Bill > SB1641

This bill establishes the Hawaii Film Authority (HFA) within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to promote and develop the state's film industries, with a primary focus on creating jobs, supporting local cultural productions, and enhancing Hawaii's global competitiveness in film. The authority will have broad powers including developing film infrastructure, investing in film studios and production facilities, collaborating with educational institutions for workforce training, partnering with film companies, and serving as an assistant producer for local film productions. A new Hawaii Film Authority Board will be created, consisting of representatives from various state agencies, counties, education institutions, labor unions, and the film production industry, with responsibilities including developing a five-year strategic plan, providing policy recommendations, and fostering indigenous storytelling. The bill also creates a new Film Industry Development Special Fund to support film production incentives, workforce development, industry promotion, and infrastructure support. Additionally, the bill renames the existing Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund and explicitly excludes film from the definition of creative industries. All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the existing Hawaii Film Office will be transferred to the new Hawaii Film Authority, and existing employees will retain their current status and benefits.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1641&year=2026