STAND. COM. REP. NO.  722-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2253

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2253, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FUNDING FOR FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to strengthen the film industry in Hawaii and enhance creative sector growth by providing the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism with a means to maintain the Hawaii Film Studio and its support programs.  Among other things, this bill:

     (1)  Renames the Hawaii Television and Film Development Special Fund to the Hawaii Film and Digital Media Development Special Fund;

     (2)  Requires revenues, fees, and charges from the rental and operation of the Hawaii Film Studio, the processing of film permits, and the processing of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to be deposited into the Special Fund;

     (3)  Deletes provisions relating to the Hawaii Television and Film Development Board, which is no longer active and which no longer serves its intended purpose as a funding mechanism for entertainment projects;

     (4)  Requires monies in the Special Fund to be used by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to operate, repair, and maintain the Hawaii Film Studio; to support the operations of the Hawaii Film Office; for programs and initiatives for digital industry media development; and for internships and training programs to expand the skill sets of the Hawaii resident workforce in the film and digital media industry; and

     (5)  Appropriates monies into and out of the Special Fund to maintain the Hawaii Film Studio and its support programs.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism testified in support of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2253, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair