S.B. 1641 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Film Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to promote and develop film industries with focus on job creation, economic development, local cultural productions, and global competitiveness.

• Creates the Hawaii Film Authority Board composed of 15 members including the DBEDT director (chair), OHA CEO designee, BLNR chairperson designee, representatives from education and University of Hawaii, county film offices, legislature, labor unions, and film production industry.

• Establishes the Film Industry Development Special Fund to receive legislative appropriations, donations, grants, revenues from motion picture tax credits, and income from state-managed film production facilities.

• Transfers all rights, powers, functions, and duties of the existing Hawaii Film Office to the new Hawaii Film Authority, with employees retaining civil service status and benefits.

• Separates film from creative industries definition and renames the combined fund to create a distinct Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund.