SB 1237 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism with 5 members appointed by the governor, including one representative from each county and the DBEDT director as ex officio voting member.

• Creates a new film studio tax credit for costs incurred to plan, design, and construct film studio infrastructure in Hawaii, with specific percentage amounts and sunset provisions to be determined.

• Amends the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit by changing terminology from "qualified production costs" to "qualifying production expenditures," modifying credit percentages (20-30% depending on zone and payroll type), and extending the sunset date from January 1, 2033 to January 1, 2038.

• Transfers all rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii State Film Office to the Hawaii Film Commission and appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent executive director position.

• Requests an audit of the Hawaii State Film Office by the state auditor covering fiscal years 2018-2023, with findings due to the legislature by 2024.