STAND. COM. REP. NO. 144

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 507

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 507 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a fixed royalty payment to the State for the filming of scenic shots of iconic locations in the State that are subsequently featured in media for production purposes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Motion Picture Association, Inc.; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has a unique landscape and natural environment that results in Hawaii being a very desirable and popular film location. Hawaii also offers many convenient and diverse filming opportunities for the filming industry. This measure ensures that the State's beautiful and iconic locations are protected and preserved by appropriately compensating the State for the use of these locations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Exempting state and county productions from paying royalties for the use of scenic shots of iconic locations in the State; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 507, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 507, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

SEAN QUINLAN, Chair