STAND. COM. REP. NO. 983

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1641

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1641, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE OF HAWAII FILM COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand and increase film, television, and media industries in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes the Hawaii State Film Office to promote and develop film, television, and media industries in the State;

(2) Establishes the Hawaii State Film Commission to develop a five-year strategic plan, recommendations, and partnerships to improve Hawaii's film and media industries; and

(3) Appropriates funds and positions for the Hawaii State Film Commission.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; State of Hawaii Creative Industries; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Pride at Work – Hawaii; IATSE 665; Hawaii International Film Festival; Hawaii Teamsters Local 996; Check the Gate; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee finds that establishing a dedicated film entity of the State to implement a strategic plan will help Hawaii increase the number of media productions, economic development, and high-paying jobs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Renaming the broader entity established by the measure as the "State of Hawaii Film Commission," for clarity and consistency with the title of the measure;

(2) Renaming the narrower entity established by the measure as the "State of Hawaii Film Commission Board," consistent with the naming of similar boards;

(3) Prohibiting non ex officio members of the State of Hawaii Film Commission Board from serving consecutive four-year terms;

(4) Clarifying that the Executive Director shall oversee the operations of the State of Hawaii Film Commission;

(5) Clarifying in statute that the Executive Director shall be exempt from chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(6) Establishing the film industry development special fund;

(7) Making conforming amendments to remove film aspects from the Hawaii film and creative industries development special fund;

(8) Making conforming amendments to exclude "film" from the term "creative industries";

(9) Making conforming amendments to specify that "film" includes motion pictures, television, virtual reality, and various other media;

(10) Deleting duplicative terms;

(11) Appropriating moneys into and out of the Hawaii film industry development special fund;

(12) Transferring employees, records, equipment, and other aspects of the Hawaii Film Office to the State of Hawaii Film Commission;

(13) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(14) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1641, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1641, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair