Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1304 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the membership of the Hawaii Television and Film Board, outline specific administrative procedures and functions, and appropriate funds to the board's special fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Big Island Film Office; the Maui Film Office; and the Honolulu Film Office.

This measure is intended to enable local writers, directors and producers to create parts for local actors filmed by local crews. It complements the film/digital media production credit established in SB No. 541, SD1, Relating to Digital Media, by making it possible for talented Hawaii filmmakers to obtain financing for their productions through a separate grants process.

Just as Acts 221/215 were intended to provide start-up financing for high-tech start-ups in early stages of development, the Hawaii Film and Television Development Special Fund will provide seed financing that independent and budding filmmakers can use to leverage non-state funding sources. Since many of these filmmakers' projects would not be eligible for the film/digital media production credits, the Special Fund takes on special significance for independent filmmakers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by increasing the appropriation to $2,000,000 and by making technical, non-substantive amendments for the purposes of style and clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1304, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1304, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.