summary
Introduced
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes only and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Commission. Establishes the Film Industry Development Special Fund. Excludes media and film from the definition of creative industries and renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Amends the sources of moneys to be deposited into the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund, including requiring all revenues, fees, and charges from the processing of the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit to be deposited into the Film Industry Development Special Fund, rather than the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires the Governor to appoint Commission members, the Director of Business, Economic Development to appoint the Executive Director of the Commission, and the Executive Director to hire staff by 12/31/2027. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to oversee film and television production activities, including managing incentives, studio facilities, and workforce initiatives, and transfers all responsibilities from the existing Hawaii Film Office to this new commission. It also creates a dedicated Film Industry Development Special Fund, into which revenues from film production tax credits will be deposited, to support film production incentives, workforce development, industry promotion, and infrastructure. The bill redefines "creative industries" to exclude film and media, renaming the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund, which will now focus on supporting broader creative sectors. The Governor will appoint commission members, the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism will appoint the Executive Director, and the Executive Director will hire staff by December 31, 2027, with annual reports to the Legislature required. The bill also appropriates funds for the commission's establishment and operations and will take effect on July 1, 2050.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. (on 02/11/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2578&year=2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2578_SD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report SB2578_SD1_SSCR2191_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/SB2578_SD1_SSCR2191_.pdf |
| SB2578_TESTIMONY_EDT_02-03-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/SB2578_TESTIMONY_EDT_02-03-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2578_.HTM |
Loading...