HI HB1551

Provides income tax credits for qualified film and television productions at 15% of production costs in counties with populations over 700,000 and 20% in smaller counties.

Establishes a new qualified media infrastructure project tax credit (15-20% depending on county population) for development, construction, or renovation of film/media production facilities, with a maximum credit cap and five-year completion requirement.

Creates a qualified persons crew training program rebate equal to a specified percentage of hourly wages for Hawaii residents participating in certified training programs, reimbursable up to a set number of hours.

Requires qualified media infrastructure projects to obtain performance bonds, file annual progress reports, and provide collateral security or liens; limits eligibility to projects with base investments exceeding a specified amount.

Effective date is July 1, 2030, allowing provisions to sunset January 1, 2016 for infrastructure project credits and crew training program rebates.