HI HR15

Request the Office of the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund.

Fund was originally established by Act 285 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2000) as the Hawaii Television and Film Development Special Fund to award grants for eligible Hawaii projects.

Fund was amended by Act 193 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2022) to expand purposes to include providing seed capital for film, media, electronic sports, and creative industries intellectual property development projects.

Require the Auditor to submit audit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2025.

Audit is intended to identify shortcomings in the current distribution of funds and determine necessary changes to increase the Special Fund's effectiveness, as it has failed to award grants to Hawaii filmmakers.