STAND. COM. REP. NO.  419-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2354

      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 Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 2354 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to foster a film production industry in Hawaii by:

     (1)  Establishing a creative film and media park to be administered by the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation;

     (2)  Designating specific properties in West Oahu to be included in the park; and

     (3)  Including the development of the park as part of the duties of the High Technology Development Corporation.

The University of Hawaii at West Oahu and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and a concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and High Technology Development Corporation provided comments.

     Hawaii is blessed with a vibrant and growing entertainment economy.  While the motion picture, television, and digital media industry has had a positive impact on the economy of Hawaii through job creation, increased tax revenues, and providing Hawaii's visitor industry with priceless marketing exposure on a global scale throughout the year, the lack of sufficient infrastructure in the State has hindered the growth of this industry.  The creation of a film and media park would attract both national and international investments in film and media production, further strengthening and diversifying Hawaii's economy.

     However, your Committee notes that, according to the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, the specific parcels of land cited in this measure are incorrect.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by deleting references to specific tax map key designations delineating where the film and media park is to be established.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2354, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2354, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair