S.B. 1155 Summary

• Transfers film industry development and marketing responsibilities from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

• Establishes a new "Film Development and Marketing Special Fund" to support film office operations, marketing, production grants, and low-interest loans for eligible Hawaii film projects.

• Defines "eligible Hawaii projects" as films where at least 75% of production costs (excluding salaries for producers, directors, writers, and actors) are spent with Hawaii-based vendors and suppliers.

• Authorizes the Hawaii Tourism Authority to manage consolidated film permit processing for motion pictures, television, commercials, and digital media projects on state and county lands.

• Modifies tax code provisions to allow the Hawaii Tourism Authority to register and track qualified production costs for the motion picture tax credit and to reduce credits by amounts received from state agencies during the taxable year.