HB1500 Summary

• Transfers responsibility for film, television, digital, and new media development from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Hawaii Tourism Authority effective July 1, 2015.

• Establishes a film, television, digital, and new media development special fund to support eligible Hawaii projects where at least 75% of production costs (excluding salaries for producer, director, writer, and actors) are spent with in-state vendors and suppliers.

• Creates consolidated permit processing authority for the Hawaii Tourism Authority to streamline film production permits for motion pictures, television shows, commercials, and other projects on state and county lands.

• Authorizes the Hawaii Tourism Authority to operate a Hawaii film facility with professional stages, studios, and production infrastructure, and to provide low-interest loans and grants for qualified productions.

• Amends tax code provisions to allow the Hawaii Tourism Authority to register qualified productions for motion picture tax credits and removes use tax requirements for materials used in Hawaii film facilities.